Ronnie Dhaher, Ph.D.

Undergraduate degree
(2000) B.S. Pharmacology and Biopsychology. University of California in Santa Barbara

Thesis: Determining the molecular mechanisms that influence contractile properties of the Ovarian wall of the grass rockfish ( Sebastes rastrelliger). (Advisors: Kelly Moore, PhD; Peter Collins, PhD)

 

Training at OHSU
2000-2007

Second Year Project
(2002) On the extended amygdala and ethanol reward (Advisor: Bob Hitzemann, PhD)

Dissertation
(2007) Determining the role of the extended amygdala in regulating alcohol consumption in C57Bl/6J (B6) mice (Mentors: Deb Finn, PhD and Bob Hitzemann, PhD)

Current Position
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University Perdue University of Indianapolis
(Postdoctoral Advisors: Zach Rodd, PhD; Rick Bell, PhD; Cris Czachowski, PhD; and Bill McBride, PhD)

e-mail
dhaherr@iupui.edu

Background and Interests
My main aim is to determine the effects of different pharmacological treatments in specific brain regions on the consumption and reinforcement of alcohol in both rats and mice under both alcohol non-dependent and alcohol dependent conditions, in an attempt to determine the molecular biology of the brain circuitry involved with dependency to alcohol in humans. Studies carried out by myself as a graduate student showed that components of the extended amygdala (EA) are involved in ethanol consumption in B6 mice, but are not necessary to see the increase in ethanol consumption induced by intermittent ethanol vapor exposure (B6 model of alcohol dependence). While my lesion studies have shown that the region is not necessary to see this increase, pharmacological studies carried out in Dr. Deb Finn's lab however, show that the region is in fact involved in this increase in ethanol consumption. My present studies are now focusing on how pharmacological manipulations made to the EA can alter or augment self-administration of ethanol in rats. These studies will help to determine the mechanism of action of drugs used therapeutically to treat alcohol dependence, as well as to provide basic scientific knowledge of the effect of drugs that have the potential to be used therapeutically.

My OHSU experience
One reason for why I came to the Behavioral Neuroscience program was because many of the professors shared a common interest (mainly behavioral neuroscience and alcohol dependence [home of the Portland Alcohol Research Center ]) and worked well together. I also came because I wanted to learn about all the animal behaviors that model psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, alcohol dependence, anxiety, and depression, and the faculty, post doctoral fellows, and fellow graduate students helped me to objectively analyze these animal behaviors.

One reason to come to OHSU is for the excellent mentorship, especially in the field of alcohol research. Excellent mentors in alcohol research in the department as expressed by their graduate students include Drs. Chris Cunningham, Tamara Phillips, John Crabbe, Suzanne Mitchell, Deb Finn, Andrey Ryabinin, and Charlie Meshul,

Another reason to come to the Behavioral Neuroscience program at OHSU is to take a class taught by Dr. Deb Finn every other year called behavioral psychopharmacology. Since I had majored in both pharmacology and biopsychology as an undergraduate, I took many courses dealing with autonomic, cellular, molecular, neurological, and psychological pharmacology, and I have to say that Dr. Finn's class in behavioral psychopharmacology was by far the most inspiring. For example, in one certainly memorable class for me, one very nice person shared her lifetime experience with suicidal depression with us. It was sad to hear the experience, but this person ended the class with optimistic expressions of joy and happiness, and relief that drugs existed that made her feel and do better. “Drugs are great!” was the statement she used in her best attempt to inspire us to explore research that leads to the development of more effective therapeutic medications for improving lives. Dr. Finn's students rewarded her in 2007 with a teacher's award, which was well deserved.

Portland is a great city to live in. It's very affordable, even for a graduate student, and it has an excellent mass transportation system, and bicycling is very safe and easy with cars and bicycles sharing the streets in almost a utopian manner. These things make it possible to live in Portland without a car (which may potentially be a more pleasurable experience than with a car). It's also a good place to buy a bicycle, and it's easier to recycle in Portland than it is to throw things away. So in these ways, Portland provides the opportunity for its inhabitants to do their bit to help save the world.

Publication
R Dhaher, DA Finn, C Snelling, R Hitzemann, Lesions of the Extended Amygdala in C57BL/6J Mice Do Not Block the Intermittent Ethanol Vapor-Induced Increase in Ethanol Consumption. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 2008 Jan; 32(1): 1-12

 

Last Updated: November 27, 2007