Katharine Cammack

Dr. Katharine Cammack is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Neuroscience Program at The University of the South. She holds a B.S. from Santa Clara University and a Ph.D. in Integrative Neuroscience from Rutgers University, with postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research focuses on neural mechanisms underlying drug addiction, sex differences in opioid response, and behavioral neuroscience. She has received numerous awards, including the 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award and National Institute on Drug Abuse fellowships. Dr. Cammack also leads community initiatives addressing opioid misuse in rural Appalachia and advocates for inclusive STEM education.

Education & Training:

• B.S., Psychology, Santa Clara University (2004)
• Ph.D., Integrative Neuroscience, Rutgers University (2009)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2012–2015)

Research Interests: Dr. Cammack’s work explores how opioids alter learning and motivation, sex-specific drug responses, and individual vulnerability to addiction. She uses rodent models to study these mechanisms and collaborates with local anti-drug coalitions to assess community perceptions of substance use. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, blending behavioral, molecular, and sociocultural perspectives.

Awards & Recognition:

• Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2022)
• Kennedy Endowed Fellowship (2018–2020)
• APA Division 6 Award (2017)

Advising & Labs: Dr. Cammack mentors undergraduate researchers in her Behavioral Neuroscience lab, focusing on skills like hypothesis design, data analysis, and science communication. Recent lab projects address opioid policy, maternal behavior in drug-exposed mice, and innovative experimental methodologies. She prioritizes fostering student independence and critical thinking in research.