Nathan S. Pentkowski

Nathan S. Pentkowski is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Mexico. His research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug addiction, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease, with an emphasis on stress systems and receptor modulation.

• Key research areas: Neurobiology of drug addiction (cocaine, alcohol, nicotine), social influences on relapse, serotonin receptors, microRNA changes in stress
• Techniques: Behavioral assays, pharmacology, biochemical imaging, genetic manipulation (DREADD, viral-mediated gene transfer)

Selected findings relate to 5-HT1B/2C receptor dynamics, CRF1 stress systems, and miR-495 regulation in addiction and neurodegeneration. Dr. Pentkowski has mentored graduate students including Jack Madden, Carlos Maestas-Olguin, and Kyle Dixon. He teaches courses on Drugs and Behavior, Neurobiology of Addiction, and Molecular Psychiatry. Not accepting students for Fall 2026.