University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Dr. Richards is a Senior Research Scientist at the Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York. His research has focused on developing animal models of behavioral regulation. A fundamental challenge for any complex nervous system is to regulate behavior in response to environmental challenges. We have developed laboratory tests of sensation seeking, habituation, stimulus control and decision making which parallel human tests of these processes. Individual differences in these processes have been linked to drug self administration in animals and drug abuse in humans.