# Genetic and Environmental Influences on Addiction

> **NIH NIH T32** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $167,076

## Abstract

Understanding how genetic and environmental factors impact drug use and abuse may be critical for addiction
prevention and diagnosis, as well as the development of novel effective addiction therapeutics. The objective
of this renewal application plans to provide 4 predoctoral training slots (for 1-2 yrs each, starting in the 2nd yr) in
the Weill Cornell Graduate School (WCGS) Neuroscience and Pharmacology Programs with the rationale of
understanding the impact of genes and environment on drug addiction. A unique feature of this training plan is
the diversity of faculty expertise in both genetic (e.g. sex, single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene splice
variants and epigenetics) and environmental (e.g., HIV positivity, materal environment, developmental age)
factors that are essential for the emergence of addictive disease. Our faculty is also noteworthy for the breadth
of the approaches they bring to addiction science; we have expertise in studying how several major abused
drugs (i.e. alcohol, opiates, cocaine, and other psychostimulants) impact neuronal function from the expression
and behavior of single molecules to the performance of complex functional systems that regulate the behavior
of rodents and humans. In addition to our talented faculty, this training grant will take advantage of the WCGS
outstanding research environment, educational resources, and recruiting activities, particularly our history of
attracting and training under-represented minorities as basic and clinical scientists. Particular strengths of the
training grant include: 1) the experience of the Director and Co-Director in mentoring, teaching and drug abuse
research; 2) the broad scope of multidisciplinary research training provided by the faculty; 3) extensive
collaborations and co-mentoring between the faculty; 4) the strong emphasis on “bench-to- bedside”
translational research; and 5) established initiatives for promoting diversity and inclusion. Training grant faculty
will be divided into three groups: 1) Major Sponsors: thesis mentors with NIDA mission supported research
programs; 2) Minor Sponsors: individuals with NIDA-mission interests who will collaborate with Major Sponsors
and their trainees; 3) Training Sponsors: individuals with extensive experience in drug abuse research who will
work closely with Major Sponsors and their trainees. Beyond the laboratory, key activities of the training plan
inlcude: 1) courses designed specifically for this T32 (“Addiction and Society” and “Challenges in Pain
Management”); 2) drug abuse focused retreat; 3) WCGS developed programs in fellowhsip preparation; and 4)
training experiences in teaching, mentoring, networking and career opportunites. These activities together with
the existing coursework and curricula, symposia and lectures, as well as each students individual training plan,
will provide a solid foundation for promoting the development of sucessful transitions of 12-15 PhD students
over a period of 5 years into careers...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10820533
- **Project number:** 5T32DA039080-07
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Teresa A Milner
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $167,076
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10820533

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10820533, Genetic and Environmental Influences on Addiction (5T32DA039080-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10820533. Licensed CC0.

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