Department News
2024
Anti-anxiety and hallucination-like effects of psychedelics mediated by distinct neural circuits
New research suggests that it could be possible to separate treatment from hallucinations when developing new drugs based on psychedelics. The anti-anxiety and hallucination-inducing qualities of psychedelic drugs work through different neural circuits, according to research using a mouse model. The work is published in Science.
“In the past, we did this using chemistry by making new compounds, but here we focused on identifying the circuits responsible for the effects, and it does seem that they are distinct,” said study co-author David E. Olson, director of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics (IPN) and a professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular medicine at the University of California, Davis. “This is an important mechanistic study that validates our earlier results.”
2024 Joan Oettinger Memorial Award Recipient
Professor Yuanpei Li has been selected as 2024 Joan Oettinger Memorial Award recipient. In recognition of this achievement, Li will be acknowledged at the UC Davis School of Medicine Spring General Faculty Meeting on May 22, 2024.
The Joan Oettinger Memorial Award for outstanding lung or cancer research is given annually. This notable award is named in honor of Ms. Oettinger, a UC Davis graduate student who died of lung cancer in 1970.
Congratulations on this well-deserved award!
2023
School of Medicine celebrates implementation of modernized curriculum
Professor and Vice Chair of Education, Colleen Sweeney, is among the five UC Davis School of Medicine faculty members that were honored this week for their key roles in the implementation of a revamped curriculum that modernizes medical education.
The curriculum, known as I-EXPLORE, has transformed what students learn and how they learn during their four-years of medical school. It was developed by faculty, residents, staff and students – with input from hundreds of others – quickly and during trying circumstances, including the coronavirus pandemic.
Luis Carvajal-Carmona appointed as the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Academic Diversity (DEI/OAD)
Professor Luis Carvajal-Carmona, has been appointed as the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Academic Diversity (DEI/OAD). Congratulations!
David Olson appointed as the founding director of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics
Professor, David Olson has been appointed as the founding director of the Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics. Congratulations!
David Olson honored as Chancellor’s Fellow
Professor, David Olson has been honored as a 2022-23 Chancellor’s Fellow. Congratulations!
