Lawrence Reagan

Lawrence Reagan, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience at the School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia. He serves as Vice Chair of the department and is actively involved in research and medical education, including directing the Medical Pharmacology content for the M2 curriculum and leading key curriculum blocks.

Dr. Reagan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University. His research focuses on the impact of stress, diabetes, and obesity on hippocampal neuroplasticity and cognitive function. He investigates how metabolic and psychological stressors contribute to synaptic and neurochemical changes underlying cognitive impairments, particularly in depression and Gulf War Illness.

His recent publications highlight a consistent focus on hippocampal and amygdalar function, insulin signaling in the brain, neuroinflammation, and glutamatergic neurotransmission. These works span animal models of stress, metabolic disorders, and neurotoxic exposures, with implications for pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. Themes across his research include synaptic plasticity, neuroendocrine interactions, and the intersection of metabolic health and brain function.

Dr. Reagan is actively engaged in scientific discourse through editorial roles, serving as Associate Editor for Neurobiology of Stress, Section Editor for Physiology & Behavior, and on the Editorial Board of Experimental Neurology.

In addition to research, Dr. Reagan plays a significant role in medical education, leading curriculum development in pharmacology and integrated systems. While student advisees are not listed, his mentorship is evident through collaborative publications. His lab investigates pathophysiological mechanisms in stress-related and metabolic disorders, aiming to translate findings into clinical applications.