Panayotis Thanos PhD

Panayotis Thanos

Panayotis Thanos
PhD

Contact Information
1021 Main Street
Clinical Research Institute on Addictions
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Jacobs Schhol of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universi
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 881-7520
Fax: 716-881-7520
thanos@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Research in my laboratory is focused upon distinct projects in the fields of Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging of Addiction and Substance Abuse. Our research is based on the notion that there are specific genetic and epigenetic vulnerabilities that significantly contribute to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) of which addiction is a part of.
My lab utilizes molecular, behavioral, and imaging (Positron Emission Tomography, MRI, CT, Autoradiograpjy) methods in animal models as well as how these models contribute to clinical data as part of several ongoing clinical translational studies.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Neuroscience and Neuroimaging of Drug Addiction, SUNY Stony Brook University (2000)
  • PhD, Biomedical Sciences / Neuroscience, Eastern Virginia Medical School / Old Dominion Unversity (1997)
  • MA, Biological Psychology, American University (1993)
  • BS, Psychology, Queen's University (1990)

Employment:

  • Senior Research Scientist, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Psychology, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Awards and Honors:

  • Investigator Travel Award (2015)
  • Investigator Travel Award, RDS (2015)
  • Investigator Travel Award, Imaging of Alcoholism. NIAAA (2006)
  • US Department of Energy Science Mentor Award (2003)
  • PSA Investigator Scholarship Award (1996)
  • The Ralph D. Millard, M.D. Investigator Award. (1995)
  • PSA Investigator Scholarship Award (1994)
  • Massey Foundation Award

Research Expertise:

  • Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging of Addiction: Dr. Thanos’ current research includes five major areas: (1) human and animal models to study the underlying genetic and neural mechanisms of increased vulnerability to alcohol abuse after bariatric surgery; (2) determining the chronic effects of methylphenidate on skeletal development and brain function, behavior (3) dissection of the role of Fatty Acid Binding Proteins on endocannabinoid signaling and function on addiction. (4) Role of exercise on molecular markers of addiction and interaction with genetics. (5) Biomarkers of prenatal exposure to nicotine and cannabis.

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • February 2022–August 2024
    Prenatal Tobacco and Cannabis Exposure: A Translational Study
    NIH
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • October 2018–September 2023
    Prenatal Tobacco and Cannabis Exposure: A Translational Study
    NIDA
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $690,000
  • February 2022–January 2023
    Response to cocaine following treatment with methylphenidate and fluoxetine.
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $60,000
  • February 2022–February 2022
    Iterative Learning and Automated Modular Platform for Optimum Nonaddictive Analgesic Discovery
    NCATS
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $50,000
  • February 2022–February 2022
    Genetic and Psychosocial Risks of recidivism and alcohol abuse following bariatric surgery
    Blue Sky
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $30,000
  • March 2018–March 2020
    Fatty Acid Binding Protein - Mediated Control of Endocannabinoid Signaling and Drug Addiction
    NIDA
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $250,000
  • September 2018–August 2019
    Gastric Bypass, Brain Activity
    NY Research Foundation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $30,000
  • February 2012–February 2019
    Skeletal Effects of Methylphenidate
    NICHD
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $440,000
  • January 2016–January 2019
    Increased Vulnerability to alcohol abuse after gastric bypass: Neural mechanisms
    NIAAA
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $250,000
  • June 2014–May 2018
    Combined Cocaine and HIV Vaccine
    NIDA
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $163,300
  • July 2013–July 2015
    The Dopamine Reward Circuit Activation Similarities between Food and Addiction
    SUNYProvost
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $264,000
See all (1 more)

Journal Articles:

See all (144 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • International Society of Reward Deficiency; member (2015–2019)
  • Research Society on Alcoholism; Member (1999–present)
  • Society for Neuroscience; Member (1995–present)

Service Activities:

  • Participated in annual conference with presentation and meet with students; Assisted with planning meetings and faculty member of the Ingestive Behavior Center at UB (2022)
  • faculty member, will assist with future conference; faculty member of the UB CeCaR. (2022)
  • Poster reviewer for annual conference of CSTEP since 2017; Poster Reviewer (2022)
  • Assisted with Poster review on research day of CRIA, 2016-2020; Poster reviewer (2022)
  • Will review and delegate reviews on papers in the area of psychopharmacology; Section Editor, Current Pharmaceutical Design (2021–2022)
  • Reviewer of manuscripts in my area of expertise; member of the Editorial Board Journal of Precision Medicine (2021–2022)
  • Section editor for Behavioral Pharmacology in the journal Current Psychopharmacology; Section Editor (2020–2022)
  • Admissions; Member (2018–present)
  • Curriculum; Coordinator (2017–present)

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

1021 Main Street
Clinical Research Institute on Addictions
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Jacobs Schhol of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universi
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 881-7520
Fax: 716-881-7520
thanos@buffalo.edu