Lecturer II
Dr. Torres received his Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP). During his graduate studies, he examined biochemical, behavioral, and transcriptional alterations following nicotine exposure during adolescence and adulthood. His pre-doctoral training also included research internships at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Massachusetts and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in Maryland. After receiving a pre-doctoral Dodson Research fellowship, he completed his Ph.D. and returned to NIDA as a post-doctoral fellow under the Scientific Director’s Fellowship for Diversity in Research program. Working at the Molecular Neuropsychiatry intramural research branch, Dr. Torres examined epigenetic and intracellular alterations following exposure to methamphetamine (METH), and METH self-administration in rodents.
Areas of Interest
Dr. Torres’s research interests include studying the molecular adaptations that occur following drug exposure and examining the various aspects of mood disorders leading to addiction. He is particularly interested in understanding how drug-induced neuronal alterations contribute to substance misuse across gender. Dr. Torres has published several peer-reviewed scholarly works in the area of addiction.
Dr. Torres teaches courses in the areas of biological psychology and research methods. He believes that teaching is a central aspect of his career and one that he enjoys most. As a professor, Dr. Torres strives to engage, challenge, and inspire students to master core concepts. Additionally, he believes that fostering critical thinking skills is an integral part of student development. Teaching gives him a sense of fulfillment, and he is enthusiastic about sharing the passion he feels for the field of psychology with all students.