Marlene A. Wilson

Dr. Marlene A. Wilson is Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She leads an active research laboratory focused on the neurochemical basis of anxiety, stress-related behaviors, and PTSD, with a strong emphasis on neuropeptides, the amygdala, and sex differences.

Research Interests: Her work investigates how neuropeptides such as enkephalin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and orexin/hypocretin modulate stress responses and the actions of anxiolytic drugs like benzodiazepines and alcohol. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach—including viral-mediated gene transfer, behavioral analysis, in vivo microdialysis, and molecular techniques—her lab explores individual variation and sex-specific neural mechanisms in animal models of fear, anxiety, and addiction.

Recent Publications: Her recent research highlights cholinergic and opioid regulation of fear extinction, the role of the amygdala in stress and alcohol responses, and neurobiological mechanisms in Gulf War Illness and metabolic-brain interactions. These studies demonstrate consistent focus on neural circuits underlying emotional behavior and stress pathology.

• Scientific Awards: No awards are mentioned in the provided text.

Advising and Grants: Dr. Wilson mentors a team of researchers, including postdoctoral fellows, research specialists, and students. Her lab has been supported by sustained funding enabling long-term investigations into stress neurobiology and neuropeptide function, as evidenced by her extensive publication record.

Labs and Teams: Her laboratory includes key members such as Dr. Sarah Tryon, Kris Kaigler, and Devin Kellis, working collaboratively on projects related to fear, stress, and neural circuitry.