Sarah Holstein

Sarah Holstein is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department at Lycoming College, where she has been a faculty member since August 2015. She is affiliated with the Department of Psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences, contributing significantly to both research and academic leadership.

Education:

• B.A., Randolph-Macon Woman’s College
• Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University

Her research centers on the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction, particularly focusing on how drugs of abuse like alcohol and caffeine affect brain reward pathways. Using rodent models, she investigates acute alcohol sensitivity, binge drinking behaviors, and the interaction between caffeine and alcohol consumption. A key area of interest is understanding why adolescents are more vulnerable to excessive drinking, examining molecular pathways such as CaMKIIα-GluA1 signaling and dopamine receptor functions. She also contributes to science education by developing pedagogical strategies to improve scientific literacy and writing among undergraduate students.

The recent publications highlight a consistent trajectory in behavioral neuroscience and addiction research, with increasing emphasis on molecular mechanisms and developmental differences in substance use. Her work bridges basic neuroscience with translational relevance to human addiction patterns, particularly in youth. Several papers involve undergraduate co-authors, reflecting her commitment to hands-on student research training.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Holstein actively mentors undergraduate students in research, integrating them into her laboratory projects focused on addiction neuroscience. Her grants are not explicitly mentioned, but her sustained publication record suggests ongoing research funding. She leads a research program that combines behavioral testing, neuropharmacology, and molecular analysis in rodent models. Her lab focuses on delineating neural circuits involved in alcohol and caffeine interactions, with implications for public health policies on co-use of stimulants and depressants. Future directions likely include expanding proteomic analyses and exploring epigenetic factors in adolescent vulnerability to addiction.