Paul Slesinger

Paul Slesinger, PhD is a Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he leads research in neuroscience with a focus on addiction mechanisms and neuronal signaling pathways. His laboratory is located in the Icahn (East) Building, Floor 9, Rooms 26-28.

Dr. Slesinger's research spans three major areas: (1) Neural circuits underlying addiction with emphasis on potassium channels, particularly GIRK channels; (2) Development of novel techniques for measuring neuropeptide signaling in the brain using biosensors and miniscopes; and (3) Human neuronal models of schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder using hiPSC-derived neurons. His work combines electrophysiology, calcium imaging, and transcriptomic analysis to investigate the molecular basis of addiction disorders.

His recent publications demonstrate expertise in developing cutting-edge neuroscience tools and investigating the cellular mechanisms of addiction. The research shows a strong trend toward translational neuroscience, bridging molecular mechanisms with behavioral outcomes in addiction disorders.

• 2006 NARSAD Independent Investigator Award
• 2003 McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award
• 2001 Human Frontiers Science Program Young Investigator Grant
• 1999 McKnight Scholars Award in Neuroscience
• 1998 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow

Dr. Slesinger's laboratory receives significant research funding and collaborates extensively with other neuroscience researchers at Mount Sinai. His work on GIRK channels and neuropeptide signaling has established him as a leader in molecular addiction research. The laboratory utilizes advanced techniques including CNiFERs biosensors, custom miniscopes, and photorelease nanovesicles for precise manipulation of neuronal activity in freely behaving animals.