M.D. Program

Zachary Springs

Alma Mater: University of California, Irvine

Matriculation Year: 2025

About Zachary: I grew up in Ridgecrest, a small town in Southern California, where I began my academic and professional journey. While attending community college, I earned two associate's degrees in Psychology and Behavioral Analysis while also working as an EMT, responding to 911 calls alongside a paramedic and serving the rural community I called home.

I then transferred to UC Irvine, where I earned my bachelor's degree and expanded on my academic pursuits and research experiences. I worked as a research assistant investigating the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on the brain, joined the NeuroScholar Program to explore the entrepreneurial side of scientific discovery, and participated in the Deconstructing Diversity Initiative, training on how to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in our communities. I also earned an internship with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) researching the effects of morphine withdrawal on motivation and goal-directed behavior. After graduating, I explored the clinical aspects of mental health treatment across a variety of settings and patient populations, including those with substance-use disorders, at-risk foster youth, and individuals with severe cases of schizophrenic disorder. Advancing to leadership positions in multiple roles, serving as Director of Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Therapist in a locked-door mental health rehabilitation center in Oakland, and as Supervisor of the Nursing Department at an in-patient addiction treatment facility in San Francisco.

Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, traveling, nights out with friends, watching football and a quality cup of coffee.

Research Advisor: 

Research Interests: My research interests lie at the intersection of psychotherapy, psychiatry, and addiction medicine. Specifically, I am passionate about developing novel therapeutic treatment methods for substance-use disorders, depression, and PTSD, conducting clinical trials, and reshaping the current addiction treatment paradigm to be more evidence-based and patient-centered.

Why you chose ARC: My deepest intention as a physician-scientist is to revolutionize the treatment of substance-use disorders. The ARC program offers the ideal foundation to achieve this goal: the structured research year, exceptional mentorship, and financial support will allow me to continue to refine my skills in both research and clinical care into meaningful, translational outcomes.

Publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8487-4287