Dr. Brett Ginsburg, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, is a prominent researcher in pharmacology and behavioral neurobiology. His research has focused on neurobiological mechanisms in alcoholism recovery, effects of synthetic cannabinoids and acute intoxication stress treatments, opioid addiction, and neurochemical effects of various addictive substances. He was recently selected to participate in the esteemed Untangling Addiction program. This initiative, sponsored by the U.S.-based non-profit organization Wellcome Leap, aims to advance the understanding and treatment of addiction disorders.
In addition to his professorship, Dr. Ginsburg serves as the director of the Biochemical Pharmacology Analytical Laboratory at UT Health San Antonio. His research primarily focuses on the behavioral neurobiology and pharmacology of alcohol, opioids, and cannabinoids. He is dedicated to exploring how the combination of medication and goal-directed behavior can enhance resistance to relapse. This vital research not only seeks to control addictive drug use but also aims to mitigate the impact on the lives of individuals and their families.
The Untangling Addiction program brings together leading substance abuse researchers from the Biochemical Pharmacology Analytical Laboratory, UT Health San Antonio’s Research Imaging Institute, and the Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders. This collaborative effort seeks to fill critical gaps in addiction knowledge, assess individual susceptibility to addiction, and explore innovative treatment options.
Dr. Ginsburg earned his Ph.D. in pharmacology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. A postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Drug and Alcohol Addiction at UT Health San Antonio solidified his desire to remain here.
