Victor A. Cazares

Victor A. Cazares is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Williams College, where he has been teaching since 2020. He is affiliated with both the Psychology Department and the Neuroscience Program, conducting research on memory formation and recall through the Cazares Lab (also known as the "vac lab"). His work bridges psychology and neuroscience to understand how memories interact and how these processes relate to psychiatric disorders.

Education:

• B.A. in Psychology from California State University-Los Angeles (2007)
• M.A. in Psychology from California State University-Los Angeles (2009)
• Ph.D. in Neuroscience from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2015)

Dr. Cazares' research focuses on how memories are formed, recalled, and altered, with particular interest in how different memories interact and why some are remembered over others. His laboratory combines learning theory with advanced neuroscience techniques including Fos-trapping, chemogenetics, and calcium imaging to link behavior with brain activity. This work has significant implications for understanding and treating psychiatric disorders involving memory disruptions, such as anxiety disorders and PTSD.

His publication record shows a strong focus on fear extinction learning, mouse models of psychiatric disorders, and the neural mechanisms underlying memory processes. Recent work has expanded into obesity research and open-source neuroscience tools development. His research spans multiple disciplines including behavioral neuroscience, molecular neuroscience, and translational psychiatry, with a consistent emphasis on using precise experimental approaches to address fundamental questions about memory and behavior.

Scientific Awards and Funding:

• 2024-2026: Workforce Development Capital Grant ($744,446) from Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
• 2024: Class of '45 World Fellowship ($18,750) from Williams College
• 2022-2025: Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15-MH129947, $435,109) from National Institutes of Mental Health

Dr. Cazares actively mentors students in his laboratory, with numerous publications featuring student researchers denoted by the "^" symbol. His grant portfolio demonstrates significant external funding support for his research program, with particular emphasis on workforce development and mental health research. His work on intentional mentoring for underrepresented students in science reflects his commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

The Cazares Lab (or "vac lab") employs a multidisciplinary approach to study memory processes, bringing together students and collaborators from psychology, neuroscience, and related fields. The lab's work on developing open-source tools like the Feeding Experimentation Device (FED3) demonstrates their commitment to advancing methodological approaches in behavioral neuroscience.