Yannick Fotio

Dr. Yannick Fotio serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, The University of Texas at Dallas, and holds an adjunct appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at UT Southwestern Medical Center. His research centers on neurobiological mechanisms of pain and addiction through a reverse translational lens.

Dr. Fotio's academic journey includes:

• Postdoctoral Scholar in Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine (2025)
• PhD in Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Italy (2019)
• PharmD in Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Italy (2015)
• BS in Biomedical Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon (2012)

Leading the Pain and Addiction-Induced Neuroplasticity (P.A.I.N.) Lab, Dr. Fotio investigates how addictive substances and tissue injuries trigger persistent remodeling of energy metabolism and intracellular lipid signaling pathways. His work reveals how these molecular adaptations drive long-term neural plasticity and behavioral outcomes in chronic pain and addiction disorders, with emphasis on endocannabinoid-related lipid mediators.

Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications shows consistent focus on lipid signaling mediators (particularly palmitoylethanolamide, NAAA-regulated pathways, and phytocannabinoids) across animal models of sickle cell disease, PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and obesity. Key themes include hyperalgesia modulation, anxiety-behavior relationships, and metabolic-neural crosstalk in pain chronification.

Dr. Fotio's honors include:

• ACNP Travel award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2024)
• Early Career Investigator Award from NIAAA (2022)

Actively recruiting undergraduate and graduate students, Dr. Fotio currently manages three major grants:

• K99/R00 Award (NCCIH/NINDS, 2023-2028): Investigating peripheral NAAA-regulated lipid signaling in hyperalgesic priming
• Proof of Product grant (UCI Beall Applied Innovation, 2023): Developing a medical food to prevent post-surgical chronic pain
• Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research grant (UC San Diego, 2022-2024): Studying phytocannabinoids for sickle cell disease pain

The P.A.I.N. Lab employs multidisciplinary approaches combining molecular techniques, behavioral assays, and translational models to bridge basic neuroscience with clinical applications, maintaining active collaborations with pain clinics and addiction treatment centers.