Ryan Bachtell

Ryan Bachtell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. He serves as Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies, and directs the Bachtell Laboratory. His research focuses on the neurobiology of drug addiction, particularly molecular mechanisms underlying drug relapse and the impact of affective states during withdrawal. He holds affiliations with the Center for Neuroscience and the Institute for Behavioral Genetics (IBG).

Education: PhD in Neuroscience from Oregon Health and Science University (2004).

Research Interests: Identification of neural circuit substrates contributing to drug relapse, effects of altered affective states (depression, anxiety, reward) during withdrawal, and genetic/molecular factors influencing addiction vulnerability. His lab uses behavioral models like drug self-administration and employs neuropharmacological and genetic approaches.

Key research themes include dopamine receptor signaling, neuroimmune mechanisms (e.g., Toll-like receptor 4), adenosine receptor modulation, and gut microbiome interactions in opioid and stimulant addiction. His work bridges basic neuroscience with translational insights into addiction treatment.

Labs/Teams: Bachtell Laboratory (specializing in behavioral neuroscience and addiction biology), IBG collaborative research networks. No specific grants or awards explicitly listed in available texts.