Research Interests

Nathan Vardeleon is a third year PhD student at Texas A&M University in the department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. He is currently enrolled in the Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience Program under the mentorship of Dr. Carlos Bolaños-Guzmàn where their research focus on elucidating the neurobiological consequences of stress and exposure to drugs early in life and how these insults affect brain biochemistry and behavior. As a graduate student, Nathan has worked in several projects investigating the short- and long-term effects of exposure to commonly prescribed therapeutics such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), alprazolam (Xanax) and fluoxetine (Prozac), and how these treatments during adolescence may influence neurobiology in adulthood. His current research experience and interests revolve around polypharmacy and anxiolytics and their implications on brain biochemistry, mood-related disorders, and addiction liability in adolescence to evaluate neurobiological markers that could play a role in the development of drug hypersensitivity resulting in substance use disorders later in life. His current project seeks to elucidate the physiological and behavioral effects of withdrawal from anxiolytic drugs such as Xanax as there has been a growing body of evidence from the Bolaños lab suggesting that exposure to anxiolytics during adolescence induces long-lasting negative behavioral and biochemical effects in rodent models. His long-term career goal is to continue in the pursuit of knowledge of the underlying mechanism(s) sustaining drug use and abuse and continue to grow as a thorough and diligent neuroscientist.

Recent Publications, Presentations, and Awards

• 2023 eIRTI Fellow