Remi Martin-Fardon

Remi Martin-Fardon is an Associate Professor of Translational Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), located in La Jolla, CA. He holds joint appointments in the Neuroscience department and the Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences. His primary research focuses on identifying neurobiological mechanisms underlying drug addiction relapse, particularly examining the role of the hypocretin (orexin) system in compulsive drug-seeking behaviors. Key areas of investigation include comparing neural substrates for drug vs. natural rewards, with emphasis on stress- and cue-induced relapse paradigms using rodent models.

• Joined TSRI in 1997 as a Postdoctoral Fellow, progressing through roles as Research Associate (2002), Staff Scientist (2004), and achieving Associate Professor status in 2019
• Member of the Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research since 2017

Research employs advanced techniques including AAV-mediated gene delivery and DREADDs to study brain regions like the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) and central amygdala. Major contributions include linking hypocretin transmission in the PVT to drug-seeking behavior and establishing this brain region's role in addiction circuits. His work also explores sex differences in alcohol dependence treatment responses and the therapeutic potential of orexin receptor antagonists.

• Over 50 peer-reviewed publications since 2000, with recent focus on opioid use disorder and translational pharmacotherapies
• Recipient of prestigious awards including the Simone et Cino Del Duca Foundation Award (2000) and NIH travel grants