Susanna Molas

Susanna Molas is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, affiliated with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics (IBG) and the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience. She holds roles as Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple grants including the BBRF Young Investigator Grant (2022-2024) and NARSAD Young Investigator Grant (2022-2025). Her research focuses on neural circuits underlying novelty responses, adaptive learning, and anxiety-related behaviors, employing cutting-edge techniques such as optogenetics, fiber photometry, and machine learning.

Education: PhD in Neuroscience from Pompeu Fabra University, Spain (2012).

Research Interests:

• Midbrain circuits controlling social novelty and anxiety
• Neuronal ensemble tagging and circuit mapping
• Interpeduncular nucleus-tegmentum circuit function
• Neuropharmacology of nicotine withdrawal and addiction

Lab Members:

• Professional Research Assistants: Aisha Chugh, Leshia Snively
• Predoctoral Trainees: Emma Keppler, Elora Williams

Grants & Awards:

• NIMH R21 Co-Investigator (2022-2024) - Interpeduncular nucleus in innate defensive behaviors
• BBRF/NARSAD PI Grants (2022-2025) - Anxiety circuitry analysis
• CCTSI-CO-D-14-111 PI (2024-2025) - Nicotine withdrawal sociability deficits

Lab Focus: Integrates behavioral annotation, optogenetics, and imaging to study neuronal circuit dynamics in health and disease. Current projects explore dopamine's role in social novelty and midbrain circuit functions in addiction.