University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Andrea King, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago. Dr. King’s primary goal is to examine the mechanisms of vulnerability to substance use disorders and to identify efficacious behavioral and pharmacological interventions for treatment of addiction. The main focus of her research has concentrated on the etiology and treatment of alcohol and nicotine dependences. While use of alcohol and drugs is widespread, only a portion of individuals exposed will develop chronic heavy, maladaptive use. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate psychobiological risk factors that predispose some persons to substance dependence. In addition, most treatments for addictive disorders only reach a small percentage of those afflicted and only improve outcomes for the minority of persons treated. Combinations of behavioral and pharmacological approaches have shown the most promise, and newer studies are examining such integrated treatments among a wide variety of patients, including racial/ethnic minorities and women. Dr. King examines factors involved in differential outcomes with the ultimate goal to ameliorate such disparities. The research program in Dr. King’s Clinical Addictions Research Laboratory includes integrated human laboratory and clinical trials research methodology to bear a psychobiological perspective on addiction.