S.J. Mihic

S.J. Mihic is an Associate Professor in the Section of Neurobiology at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Waggoner Center for Alcohol & Addiction Research and the Institutes for Neuroscience and Cellular & Molecular Biology.

• Education: Ph.D. in Pharmacology (1992) from the University of Toronto; Postdoctoral work at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

Research focuses on ligand-gated ion channels, particularly the glycine receptor and GABA-A receptors, investigating allosteric modulation mechanisms by ethanol and volatile anesthetics. Studies combine molecular mutagenesis, electrophysiology, and phage display technology to identify novel modulators. 15 recent publications highlight zinc's role in receptor function, ethanol activation dynamics, and intersubunit electrostatic interactions critical for receptor gating.

• Scientific Awards
  • Research Society on Alcoholism Young Investigators Award (1999)
  • UT Institute for Cellular & Molecular Biology Fellow (2002-2005)
  • College of Natural Sciences Teaching Excellence Award (2003)

Active in NIH study section reviews and contributes to emerging research on phage display for discovering ion channel modulators.