dustin j. stairs, ph.d. - creighton university · stairs, d.j. (july 2011) using behavioral...

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Dustin J. Stairs, Ph.D.

536 N. 74th Ave

Omaha, NE 68114

[email protected]

Tele – 402-280-2461

CURRICULUM VITAE

May – 2018

Education: University of Kentucky Lexington, KY

Doctorate of Philosophy in Experimental Psychology: 2003-2007

Subfield in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology

Doctorate Dissertation: Enrichment-Induced Differences in Corticosterone:

Differential Response to Amphetamine and Glucocorticoid Receptor Blockade in

Low Dose Amphetamine Self-Administration

University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC

Master of Arts in Psychology: 2000-2003

Master’s Thesis: Effects of Bupropion on Nicotine Self-Administration in Rats

South Dakota State University Brookings, SD

Bachelors in Science of Psychology 1996-1999

Major: Experimental Psychology

Minor: Biology

Positions Held:

Creighton University Omaha, NE

Professor, Department of Psychological Science 2018-Present

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology 2012-2018

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology 2007-2012

Centre College Danville, KY

Invited Visiting Instructor, Department of Psychology Fall, 2006

University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Lexington, KY

Instructor, Department of Psychology 2006


Teaching Assistant, Department of Psychology 2000-2003

Teaching:

Creighton University

Department of Psychology: Courses Taught:

Teach three courses in the Fall and three in the Spring Semesters

Psy 111 – Introduction to Psychology

Psy 313 – Research Methods and Statistics I

Psy 437 – Physiological Psychology

mailto:[email protected]

Dustin J. Stairs 2

Curriculum Vitae

o Taught Online Summer 2016

Psy 481 – Drugs and Behavior

Psy 424 – History and Systems of Psychology

Psy 434 – Learning: Basic Processes

NES 466 – Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse

Psy 491 – Senior Honors Seminar (Addiction Science)

Psy 491 – Senior Honors Seminar (Sensation Seeking and Risky Behavior)

Psy 495 – Directed Independent Study

Psy 497 – Directed Independent Research

Bio 497 – Directed Independent Research

NES 497 – Directed Independent Research

Awards/Nominations:

Research

American Psychological Association Honolulu, HI

Travel Award for Early Career Professional 2013

Award for travel to APA convention

Teaching


Teaching Award Winner 2014

Gamma Phi Beta – Shine Award for Excellence in Teaching

Teaching Award Nominee 2010

Omicron Delta Kappa – Teaching for Tomorrow Award

o National Student Leadership Honor Society

Publications: (*denotes undergraduate co-authors)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Ravikrishnan, A.; Gandhi, P.J., Shelkar, G.P., Liu, J., Pavuluri, R, Stairs, D.J.,

Ugale, R.R., Dravid, S.M. (Submitted) Heterogeneity of NMDA receptor GluN2C

subunit expression in population of parvalbumin-positive neurons: analysis of

GluN2C expression using a novel reporter model. Neuroscience

Bockman, C.S. , Zeng, W., Fosdick, J.*, Mittelstet, B.*, and Schwarzkopf, L.*,

Stairs, D.J., (2018). Nicotine Drug Discrimination and Nicotinic Acetylcholine

Receptors in Differentially Reared Rats. Psychopharmacology

Kangiser, M.M.*, Dwoskin, L.P., and Stairs, D.J., (2018) Effects of Varenicline

and GZ-793A on Methamphetamine and Food Self-Administration Under a

Multiple Schedule of Reinforcement in Rats. Behavioural Pharmacology

Dustin J. Stairs 3

Curriculum Vitae

Stairs, D.J., Ewin, S.E.*, Kangiser, M.M.*, and Pfaff, M.N.* (2017). Effects of

Environmental Enrichment on d-Amphetamine Self-Administration Following

Nicotine Exposure. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 25(5), 393-

401

Gupta, S.C., Ravikrishnan, A., Hillman, B.G., Mao, Z., Pavuluri, R., Ugale, R. Li,

M., Stairs, D.J., Monaghan, D. and David, S.M (2016) The NMDA receptor

GluN2C subunit controls cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance, neuronal

oscillations and cognitive function. Scientific Reports, 6, 38321.

Ewin, S.E.*, Kangiser, M.M.* and Stairs, D.J. (2015). Effects of Environmental

Enrichment on Nicotine Conditioned Place Preference in Rats. Experimental

and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 23(5), 387-94

Gupta, S.C., Yadav, R., Morley, B.J., Stairs, D.J. and Dravid, S.M. (2015).

Essential role of GluD1 in dendritic spine development and GluN2B to GluN2A

NMDAR subunit switch in the cortex and hippocampus reveals ability of GluN2B

inhibition in correcting hyperconnectivity. Neuropharmacology, 93, 274-284

Suryavanshi, P.S., Ugale, R.R., Yilmazer-Hanke, D., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid,

S.M. (2014). GluN2C/GluN2D subunit-selective NMDA receptor potentiator CIQ

reverses MK-801-induced impairment in prepulse inhibition and working

memory in Y-maze test in mice. British Journal of Pharmacology, 171(3), 799-

809

Yadav, R., Hillman, B.G., Gupta, S.C., Bhatt, J.M., Suryavanshi, P., Stairs,

D.J., and Dravid , S.M. (2013). Deletion of Glutamate Delta-1 Receptor in

Mouse Leads to Enhanced Working Memory and deficit in Contextual Fear

Conditioning. PLoS One, 8(4), e60785

Gupta, S.C., Hillman, B.G., Prakash, A., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2013).

Effect of D-cycloserine in conjunction with fear extinction training on

extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in prefrontal cortex and

amygdala in rat. European Journal of Neuroscience, 37(11), 1811-1822

Adams, E.*, Klug, J.*, Quast, M.* Stairs, D.J., (2013). Effects of Environmental

Enrichment on Nicotine-Induced Sensitization and Cross-Sensitization to d-

Amphetamine in Rats. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 129, 247-253

Yadav, R., Gupta, S.C., Hillman, B.G., Bhatt, J., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M.

(2012). Deletion of glutamate delta-1 receptor in mouse leads to aberrant

emotional and social behaviors. PLoS One, 7(3), e32969.

Dustin J. Stairs 4

Curriculum Vitae

Stairs, D.J., Prendergast, M.A., and Bardo, M.T. (2011). Enrichment-induced

differences in corticosterone: Differential response to amphetamine and

glucocorticoid receptor blockade in amphetamine self-administration.

Psychopharmacology, 218(1), 293-301

Hillman, B.G., Gupta, S.C., Stairs, D.J., Buonanno, A., and Dravid, S.M.

(2011). Behavioral analysis of NR2C knockout mouse reveals deficit in working

memory and acquisition of conditioned fear. Neurobiology of Learning and

Memory, 95(4), 404-414

Stairs, D.J., Neugebauer, N.M., and Bardo, M.T. (2010). Nicotine self-

administration in rats using a multiple schedule of intravenous nicotine and

sucrose. Behavioural Pharmacology, 21(3), 182-193.

Stairs, D.J. and Bardo, M.T. (2009). Neurobehavioral effects of environmental

enrichment and drug abuse vulnerability. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and

Behavior, 92(3), 377-382.

Stairs, D.J. and Dworkin, S.I. (2008). Rate dependent effects of bupropion on

nicotine self-administration and food-maintained responding in rats.

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 90(4), 701-711.

Perry J.L., Stairs, D.J., and Bardo, M.T. (2008). Impulsive choice and

environmental enrichment: Effects of d-amphetamine and methylphenidate.

Behavioral Brain Research, 193(1), 48-54.

Zhu, J., Bardo, M.T., Bruntz, R.C., Stairs, D.J., Dwoskin, L.P. (2007). Individual

differences in response to novelty predict prefrontal cortex dopamine

transporter function and cell surface expression. European Journal of

Neuroscience, 26(3), 717-728.

Neugebauer, N.M., Harrod, S.B., Stairs, D.J., Zheng, G., Crooks, P.A.,

Dwoskin, L.P., and Bardo, M.T. (2007). Effects of lobelane on

methamphetamine self-administration and sucrose-maintained responding.

European Journal of Pharmacology, 571(1), 33-8.

Stairs, D.J., Neugebauer, N. M. Wei, X., Boustany, C., Hojahmat, M., Cassis,

L. A., Crooks, P. A., Dwoskin, L. P. and Bardo, M. T. (2007). Effects of

nornicotine enantiomers on intravenous S(-)-nicotine self-administration and

cardiovascular function in rats. Psychopharmacology, 190, 145-155.

Dustin J. Stairs 5

Curriculum Vitae

Stairs, D.J., Klein, E.D. and Bardo, M.T. (2006). Effects of environmental

enrichment on extinction and reinstatement of amphetamine self-administration

and sucrose-maintained responding. Behavioral Pharmacology, 17(7), 597-604.

Edited Book Chapters (*denotes undergraduate co-authors)

Stairs, D.J., Kangiser, M.M.*, Hickle, T.* and Bockman, C.S. (2016). Environmental Enrichment and Nicotine Addiction. In V.R. Preedy (Ed.), Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse; Volume 1: Common Substances of Abuse/Tobacco, Alcohol, Cannabinoids and Opioids. London: Academic Press

Dworkin, S.I. and Stairs, D.J. (2002). Self-administration of drugs of

abuse. In B.D. Waterhouse (Ed.), Methods in drug abuse research; Cellular and

Circuit Level Analyses of Drug Action. Boca Raton: CRC Press

Manuscripts in Preparation (*denotes undergraduate co-authors)

Chaco, N.M.*, Adams, E.*, BaDour, B.*, Hickle, T.* and Hovenga, B.* Stairs,

D.J., (in preparation). Enrichment-induced differences in methamphetamine

drug discrimination in rats.

Hillman, B.G., Gupta, S.C., Ravikrishnan, A., Pavuluri, R., Li, M., Stairs, D.J.

and David, S.M. (in preparation). The NMDA receptor GluN2C subunit regulates

behavioral and cellular phenotypes relevant to schizophrenia.

Hillman, B.G., Stairs, D.J. and Dravid, S.M. (In preparation). Potentiation of

GluN2C-containing NMDA receptors in the prefrontal cortex blocks MK-801

induced hyperlocomotion and deficit in working memory.

Stairs, D.J., Shoemaker, L.* and Chacho, N.M.* (in preparation). Effects of

Caffeine in an Ethanol Solution on Ethanol Drinking in a Two-Bottle Choice

Procedure in Rats.

Grants, Fellowships and Contracts (Total Award):

Creighton University Dr. George F. Haddix President’s Faculty Research Fund

(Submitted), S. Dravid (co-PI) and D.J. Stairs (co-PI), “Targeting glutamate

delta-1 receptor to correct Rett syndrome,” 2015, ($15,000)

Creighton University Faculty Research Fund, D.J. Stairs (PI), “Environmental

effects on nicotine-evoked [3H]dopamine release from rat ventral tegmental

area, nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex slices,” 2015, ($3,000)

Dustin J. Stairs 6

Curriculum Vitae

LB-595, Dept. of Health and Human Services Cancer and Smoking Disease

Research, State of Nebraska, C. Bockman (PI), co-Investigator: D.J. Stairs,

“Environmental Experience, Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Behavior,”

2010-2012, ($80,000).

LB-506, 2011-04, Dept. of Health and Human Services Cancer and Smoking

Disease Research, State of Nebraska, C. Bockman (PI), co-Investigator: D.J.

Stairs, “Effects of Novel Environment of Vulnerability to Nicotine,” 2010-2011,

($36,500).

NIH R21 MH085327-01A2, S. Dravid (PI), co-Investigator: D.J. Stairs (10%

effort), “Molecular mechanism of D-cycloserine action,” 2010-2012, ($275,000)

Creighton University Graduate School, Summer Faculty Fellowship, D.J. Stairs

(PI), “Do high levels of novelty during development alter the subjective effects of

caffeine,” 2009, ($4,500)

NIH F32 DA16176-01, L. Hersh (PI), Trainee: D.J. Stairs, “Training in Drug

Abuse Related Research,” 2004-2006, ($41,000).

NSF REU 8920350, S. Shuster (PI), Trainee: D.J. Stairs, ”Research

Internships in Neural and Behavioral Sciences,” 1999, ($3,000).

Grants Not Awarded:

NIH R03 Submitted not awarded, M. Kelso (PI), co-Investigator: D.J. Stairs

(30% effort) “Alcohol consumption following traumatic brain injury due to

neuroinflammation”, 2012-2013 ($159,254).


(Submitted), S. Dravid (co-PI) and D.J. Stairs (co-PI), “Orphan glutamate delta-

1 receptor in autism spectrum disorder,” 2012, ($15,000)


(Submitted), D.J. Stairs (co-PI), “Effects of environmental enrichment on

nicotine-evoked [3H] dopamine release from rat brain slices” 2014, ($10,800)

Invited Talks:

Stairs, D.J. (February 2013) Using Behavioral Procedures to Study the Effects

of Environmental Enrichment on the Sensitivity to Stimulant Drugs in Rats.

Invited talk at Heartland Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference,

Omaha, NE.

Dustin J. Stairs 7

Curriculum Vitae

Stairs, D.J. (March 2013) Effects of Environmental Enrichment on the

Behavioral Sensitivity to Nicotine: Can it Decrease Abuse Vulnerability? Invited

talk at Department of Biomedical Science – Seminar Series, Creighton

University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE.

Stairs, D.J. (February 2012) Ability of Novelty Exposure to Alter Vulnerability to

Nicotine Addiction: Behavioral and Neural Evidence in the Rat. Invited talk at

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences – Seminar Series, South Dakota State

University, Brookings, SD.

Stairs, D.J. (July 2011) Why Do Enriched-Rats Self-Administer Less

Amphetamine? Invited talk at the IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research

Excellence (INBRE) Scholars Program – INBRE Summer Lecture Series,

Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

Stairs, D.J. (July 2011) Using Behavioral Procedures to Study Drugs of Abuse.

Invited talk at the Munroe-Meyer Institute – Heartland Association for Behavior

Analysis Speaker Series, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.

Stairs, D.J. (March 2009) The Role of Novelty-Exposure in the Vulnerability to

Stimulant Abuse. Invited talk at the Department of Pharmacology and

Experimental Neuroscience Seminar Series, University of Nebraska Medical

Center, Omaha, NE.

Oral Presentations: (*denotes undergraduate co-authors)

Stairs, D.J., Busselman, R.E.*, and Holter, K.M.* (2018 June) Cocaine Self-Administration Under an IRT>t Schedule of Reinforcement in Sprague Dawley Rats. Talk at the annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), San Diego, CA.

Stairs, D.J., Kangiser, M.M.*, Pfaff, M.N.*, Ewin, S.E.* and Dwoskin, L.P. (2015

June) Effects of Varenicline and GZ-793A on Methamphetamine and Food Self-

Administration Under a Multiple Schedule of Reinforcement in Rats. Talk at the

annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD),

Phoenix, AZ.

Stairs, D.J., Kangiser, M.M.*, Ewin, S.E.*, Salvatore, C.A.*, Pfaff, M.N.*,

Daugherty, K.A.* and Schroeder, M.K.* (2014 August) Effects of Environmental

Enrichment on d-Amphetamine Self-Administration Following Nicotine

Exposure. Talk at the annual meeting for American Psychological Association,

Washington, DC.

Dustin J. Stairs 8

Curriculum Vitae

Stairs, D.J., Ewin, S.E.*, Kangiser, M.M.*, Salvatore, C.A.* and Pfaff, M.N.*

(2014 June) Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Amphetamine Self-

Administration under a Fixed-Ratio and Progressive Ratio Schedule Following

Nicotine Exposure. Talk at the annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug

Dependence (CPDD), San Juan, PR.

Stairs, D.J., Bockman, C.S., Hasselquist, L.A.* and Hickle, T.* (2011 June)

Effects of Environmental Enrichment on the Locomotor Stimulant Effects of

Repeated Nicotine Pretreatment and the Relationship with Brain Nicotinic

Acetylcholine (nACh) Receptor Densities in Rats. Talk at the annual meeting for

College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Hollywood, FL.

Adams, E.*, Kraft, M.* and Stairs, D.J. (2011 May). Effects of Environmental

Enrichment on Nicotine-Induced Cross-Sensitization to d-Amphetamine. Talk at

the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA),

Chicago, Il.

Stairs, D.J., Adams, E.*, Hickle, T.*, Hovenga, B.* and BaDour, B.* (2010

June) Dopamine receptor involvement in enrichment-induced differences in

methamphetamine drug discrimination in rats. Talk at the annual meeting for

College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Scottsdale, AZ.

Stairs, D.J., Prendergast, M.A., Bardo, M.T. (2008 June) Enrichment-Induced

Differences in Plasma Corticosterone: A Potential Mechanism for Differential

Responses to Amphetamine in Rats. Talk at the annual meeting for College of

Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), San Juan, PR.

Stairs, D.J., Bardo, M.T. (2007 May) Nicotine self-administration in rats using a

multiple schedule of intravenous nicotine and sucrose. Talk at the annual

meeting of the Association of Behavior Analysis, San Diego, CA

Perry, J.L., Stairs, D.J., Bardo, M.T. (2007 March) Delay discounting and

environmental enrichment: Effects of d-amphetamine and methylphenidate.

Invited talk at the annual Neuroscience Day for the Bluegrass Chapter Society

for Neuroscience, Lexington, KY.

Stairs, D.J. (2006 May). Professional Development Series: How to obtain grant

funding. Panel Discussion at the annual meeting of the Association of Behavior

Analysis, Atlanta, GA.

Dustin J. Stairs 9

Curriculum Vitae

Stairs, D.J. (2005 Nov). Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Extinction and

Reinstatement of Amphetamine Self-Administration and Sucrose-Maintained

Responding in Rats. Talk at the NIDA Training Grant Symposium, University of

Kentucky, Lexington KY.

Posters: (*denotes undergraduate co-authors)

Pfaff, M.N., Ramsey, W.S., Wunsch, C.N., Kangiser, M.M., Ewin, S.E., Chacho, N.M., and Stairs, D.J. (2018, August) Effects of Amphetamine and Ketamine on Responding Under an IRT>t Schedule of Reinforcement. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA), San Fransisco, CA.

Stairs, D.J., Chacho, N.M.. Busselman, R., Wolfe, M and Christenson, S. (2017

June). Effects of Nicotine Exposure on Behavioral Inhibition and Self-

Administration in Differentially-Reared Rats. Poster presented at the annual

meeting for College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Montreal,

Canada.

Chacho, N.M., Busselman, R.E., Wolfe, M., Dravid, S.M. and Stairs, D.J. (2017 August). Effects of Midazolam on Conditioned Fear Response, Forced Swim Test, and Elevated Plus Maze in Differentially-Reared Rats. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA), Washington, D.C.

Busselman, R.E., Lee, S.S., Chacho, N.M., Wolfe, M., Greisen, J., Goeckner, P., Wunsch, C., Pipitone, L. and Stairs, D.J. (2017 August). Nicotine Exposure on DRL Responding Maintained by Food and Amphetamine in Differentially-Reared Rats. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA), Washington, D.C.

Chacho, N.M.*, Clancey, K.*, Lee, S.S.*, Christenson, S.*, Baiyee-Cady, R.*,

Wolfe, M.*, Greisen, J.* and Stairs, D.J. (2016 May) Effects of Nicotine

Exposure on Behavioral Inhibition and Self-Administration in Rats Raised in

Isolation. Poster presented to the annual meeting of the Midwestern

Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Chacho, N.M.*, Lee, S.S.*, Christenson, S.*, Baiyee-Cady, R.*, Pfaff, M.N.* and

Stairs, D.J. (2016 May) Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Food-

Maintained Responding Following Nicotine Exposure. Poster presented to the

annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago,

Il.

Pfaff, M.N.*, Kangiser, M.M.*, Ewin, S.E.*, Salvatore, C.A.*, Daugherty, K.A.*,

Chacho, N.M.*, Lee, S.S.* and Stairs, D.J. (2015 May) Effects of Amphetamine

and Ketamine on Responding Under a Differential-Reinforcement-of-Low-Rates

Dustin J. Stairs 10

Curriculum Vitae

Schedule of Reinforcement. Poster presented to the annual meeting of the

Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Kangiser, M.M.*, Pfaff, M.N.*, Ewin, S.E.* and Dwoskin, L.P. and Stairs, D.J.,

(2015 May) Effects of Varenicline and GZ-793A on Methamphetamine and

Food Self-Administration Under a Multiple Schedule of Reinforcement in Rats.

Poster presented to the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological

Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Ewin, S.E.*, Kangiser, M.M.*, Salvatore, C.A.*, Daugherty, K.A.*, Pfaff, M.N.*, Schroeder, M.K.*, and Stairs, D.J. (2014 May). Effects of Environmental Enrichment on d-Amphetamine Self-Administration Following Nicotine Exposure. Poster presented to the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Stairs, D.J., Quast, M.* and Bockman, C.S. (2013 July). Relationship Between

nAChR Subtypes and Nicotine CPP in Differentially-Reared Rats. Poster

presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association

(APA), Honolulu, HI.

Angsten, K.*, Bragdon, A.K.*, Kangiser, M.M.*, Salvatore, C.A.*, Giordano,

D.A.*, Ewin, S.E.*, Lange, R.C.* and Stairs, D.J. (2013 May). Effects of

Environmental Enrichment on Nicotine Conditioned Place Preference. Poster

presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association

(MPA), Chicago, Il.

Stairs, D.J., Klug, J.J.*, Adams, E.*, Wiles, M.* and Quast, M.* (2012 June).

Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Nicotine-Induced Sensitization and

Cross-Sensitization to d-Amphetamine in Rats. Poster presented at the annual

meeting for College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Palm Springs,

CA.

Shoemaker, L.E.*, Vanderzanden, K.E.*, Klug, J.J.* Wiles, M.P.*, Bragdon,

A.K.*, Angsten, K.*, and Stairs, D.J. (2012 May). Effects of Caffeine in an

Ethanol Solution on Ethanol Drinking in a Two-Bottle Choice Procedure in Rats.

Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological

Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Klug, J.J.*, Wiles, M.P.*, and Stairs, D.J. (2012 May). Effects of Environmental

Enrichment on Nicotine Exposure during Adolescence and Nicotine-Induced

Locomotor Behavior in Adulthood. Poster presented at the annual meeting of

the Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Dustin J. Stairs 11

Curriculum Vitae

Hillman, B.G., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2012 Apr.). Role of GluN2C-

containing receptors in rodent schizophrenia-like phenotypes. Poster presented

at the annual meeting of Experimental Biology, San Diego, CA.

Hasselquist, L.A.*, Adams, E.*, Kraft, M.*, Grask, T.E.* and Stairs, D.J. (2011

May). Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Ethanol Drinking in a Two-Bottle

Choice Procedure. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern

Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Gupta, S.C., Hillman, B.G., Prakash, A., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2011

Nov). D-cycloserine potentiates fear extinction-induced ERK activation in

prefrontal cortex and lateral nucleus of the amygdala. Poster presented at the

annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Washington, D.C.

Hillman, B.G., Gupta, S.C., Suryavanshi, P., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M.

(2011 August). Regulation of Inhibitory Tone in the Central Amygdala by NMDA

Receptor GluN2C Subunit. Poster presented at the Gordon Research

Conference: Amygdala in Health and Disease, Waterville, ME.

Hillman, B.G., Gupta, S.C., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2010 Nov). Ablation

of NR2C Receptor Models Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia. Poster

presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego,

CA.

Adams, E.*, Hickle, T.*, Hovenga, B.*, BaDour, B.* and Stairs, D.J. (2010

May). Enrichment-Induced Differences in Methamphetamine Drug

Discrimination in Rats. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the

Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA), Chicago, Il.

Hillman, B.G., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2009 Oct). Acquisition and

Extinction of Fear in NR2C Knockout Mouse. Poster presented at the annual

meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Chicago, IL.

Stairs, D.J., Bockman, C.S., Fosdick, J.*, Mittelstet, B.*, and Schwarzkopf, L.*

(2009 June). Enrichment-Induced Differences in Nicotine Drug Discrimination in

Rats is Nicotinic Receptor Mediated. Poster presented at the annual meeting

for College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Reno, NV.

Fosdick, J.*, Mittelstet, B.*, Schwarzkopf, L.* and Stairs, D.J. (2009 May).

Enrichment-induced differences in nicotine drug discrimination in rats. Poster

Dustin J. Stairs 12

Curriculum Vitae

presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association

(MPA), Chicago, Il.

Stairs, D.J., Prendergast, M.A., and Bardo, M.T. (2008 June). Enrichment-

Induced Differences in Plasma Corticosterone: A Potential Mechanism for

Differential Responses to Amphetamine in Rats. Poster presented at the

annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), San

Juan, Puerto Rico.

Stairs, D.J., Neugebauer, N.M., and Bardo, M.T. (2007 June). Nicotine and

cocaine self-administration using a multiple schedule of intravenous drug and

sucrose reinforcement in rats. Poster presented at the annual meeting for

College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Quebec City, QB.

Stairs, D.J. and Bardo, M.T. (2007 March). What role does age of enrichment

exposure and stereotypy play in the environmentally-induced differences in the

locomotor stimulant effects of amphetamine? Poster presented at the annual

Neuroscience Day for the Bluegrass Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience,

Lexington, KY.

Stairs, D.J. and Bardo, M.T. (2006 June). Environmental enrichment increases

the extinction rates of amphetamine self-administration and decreases the

reinstatement threshold for amphetamine- seeking behavior. Poster presented

at the annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD),

Scottsdale, AZ.

Klein, E. D., Stairs, D. J. and Bardo, M. T. (2006 February). Extinction and

reinstatement of lever pressing in enriched and isolated rats: Differential effects

of amphetamine and sucrose. Poster presented at the Winter Conference on

Animal Learning and Behavior. Winter Park, CO.

Stairs, D.J., Klein, E.D. and Bardo, M.T. (2005 June). Extinction and

reinstatement of amphetamine self-administration and sucrose-maintained

responding in rats. Poster presented at the annual meeting for College of

Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Orlando, FL.

Cain, M.E., Stairs, D.J., Brown, R.W. and Bardo, M.T. (2005 June). Role of the

central nucleus of the amygdala in enrichment-induced changes in rat

amphetamine self-administration. Poster presented at the annual meeting for

College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), Orlando, FL.

Dustin J. Stairs 13

Curriculum Vitae

Wei, X., Stairs, D.J., Hojahmat, M., Neugebauer, N., Bardo, M., Dwoskin, L.P.

and Crooks, P.A. (2004 November). Nornicotine: a potential smoking cessation

agent-GC/MS quantification of nornicotine enantiomers in rat brain and serum

after acute subcutaneous and oral administration. Abstract at American Assoc.

of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).

Stairs, D.J., Dawahare, E., Crooks, P.A., Dwoskin, L.P. and Bardo, M.T. (2004

October). Assessment of the abuse liability of nornicotine enantiomers:

neurochemical and behavioral effects. Poster presented at the annual meeting

for Society of Neuroscience, San Diego, CA.

Neugebauer, NM, Harrod, SB, Stairs, D.J., Zheng, G, Crooks, PA, Dwoskin,

LP, and Bardo, MT. (2004 June). Effects of lobelane on methamphetamine self-

administration and sucrose-maintained responding. Poster presented at the

annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD).

Stairs, D.J., Neugebauer, N., Wei, X., Crooks, P.A., Dwoskin, L.P. and Bardo,

M.T. (2004 June). Enantiomeric effects of nornicotine on nicotine self-

administration and sucrose-maintained responding in rats. Poster presented at

the annual meeting for College of Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD).

Dworkin, S.I. and Stairs, D.J. (2002 May). Effects of bupropion on nicotine self-

administration. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the

Association for Behavior Analysis, Toronto, ON.

Stairs, D.J. and Dworkin, S.I. (2001 October). The effects of bupropion on food-

maintained responding in rats. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the

Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis, Wilmington, NC.

Dworkin, S.I. and Stairs, D.J. (2001). Effects of bupropion on nicotine self-

administration and food-maintained responding. Poster session presented at

the Annual meeting of American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental

Therapeutics.

Phelps, B. J., Buchele, R. A., Larsen, J. L., Martius, H. J. and Stairs, D. J.

(1998, June). Impulsivity in the T-maze as a predictor of ethanol consumption.

Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior

Analysis, Orlando, FL.

Dustin J. Stairs 14

Curriculum Vitae

Phelps, B. J., Buchele, R. A., Larsen, J. L., Martius, H. J. and Stairs, D. J.

(1998, June). Tolerance to ethanol in large fixed-ratio performance. Poster

presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis,

Orlando, FL.

Research Mentoring of Undergraduate Students: Last five years only

Creighton University Where they Went

Kim Holter – Spring 2018-Present

Morgan Hamersky – Fall 2017-Present

Hadi Berbari – Fall 2017-Present

William Ramsey – Fall 2017-Present

Becca McWilliams – Fall 2017-Present

Ashlee Kolbe – Fall 2017-Present

Lauren Pipitone – Fall 2016-Spring 2018

Connor Wunsch – Fall 2016-Present

Rachel Busselman – Fall 2016-Spring 2018 TexA&M – PhD - Biology

o Clare Boothe Luce Scholar – Women in Science

Peter Goeckner – Fall 2016-Spring 2017 Fulbright – Korea

Madison Wolfe – Fall 2015-Spring 2017 Medical School

Nicole Chacho – Fall 2014-Spring 2017 UCF-Master’s Clinical

Scott Christenson – Spring 2015-Spring 2016 Medical School

Jessica Greisen – Fall 2015-Spring 2017 Working

Rachel Baiyee-Cady – Fall 2014-Spring 2016 OD School

Kaitlin Clancy – Fall 2015-Spring 2016 Master Clinical

Sonnie Lee – Fall 2014-Spring 2016 Medical School

Megan Kangiser – Fall 12-Spring 15 UMW-NeuroPsych PhD

Marcus Pfaff – Fall 13-Spring 15 Graduate School-Neuro

Marshall Schroeder – Fall 13-Spring 14 PsyD Counselling

Katie Dougherty – Spring 13-Spring 14 Med school

Sarah Ewin – Fall 12-Summer 14 Wake Forest PhD - Neuro

Chris Salvatore – Fall 12-Spring 14 Med school

Dominique Giordano – Fall 12-Spring 13 Med school

Rebecca Lange – Fall 12-Spring 13 Med school

Allie Bragdon – Spring 11-Spring 13 Masters ABA

Kristyn Angsten – Fall 10-Spring 13 Masters Clinical

Student Grants, Fellowships and Awards Sponsored (Total Award):

Dustin J. Stairs 15

Curriculum Vitae

Holter, K.M. (2018) Impact of Rearing Environment on Specific Nicotinic Receptor Subtypes. Ferlic Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship, ($5,000)

Busselman, R.E. (2017) Cocaine Intravenous Self-Administration on an IRT>t

Schedule. Clare Boothe Luce Summer Research Scholarship, ($5,000)

Kangiser, M.M. (2014) Effects of Varenicline and GZ-793A on Methamphetamine

and Food Self-administration under a Multiple Schedule of Reinforcement in Rats.

Ferlic Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship, ($5,000)

Adams, E. (2010). Enrichment-induced differences in locomotor cross-sensitization

of nicotine to methamphetamine in rats. Ferlic Undergraduate Summer Research

Scholarship, ($4,200)

Fosdick, J. (2008). The role of stress hormones in the enrichment-induced

differences in the locomotor response to amphetamine in rats. Ferlic

Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship, ($4,200)

Sponsored Student Research Presentations:

Eyer, M.M., Loutzenhiser, L.B. & Stairs, D.J. (2018 March) Sensation seeking and

Risky Sexual Behavior Among College Students. Poster presented at Creighton

University Research Day, Omaha, NE.

Kieffer, E., Koller, E. & Wolters, K. (2018 March) The Moderation of Sensation

Seeking on Risky Behavior in Emerging Adults. Poster presented at Creighton

University Research Day, Omaha, NE.

Bickel, T., Laudi, A. & Merrill, B. (2018 March) The Moderating Effect of Religious

Commitment on Alcohol & Drug Use Among Sensation Seekers. Poster presented

at Creighton University Research Day, Omaha, NE.

Busselman, R.E., Pipitone, L.,Wunsch, C.,Berbari, H., Hamersky, M., McWilliams,

B., Kolbe, A., Ramsey, W. & Stairs, D.J. (2018 January) Cocaine Intravenous Self-

Administration on an IRT>t Schedule. Poster presented at Creighton University,

CURAS Research Symposium, Omaha, NE.

Busselman, R.E., Lee, S.S., Chacho, N.M., Baiyee-Cady, R., Christenson, S.,

Wolfe, M., Greisen, J., Sackach, J. and Stairs, D.J. (2016 Sept) Rat Intravenous

Self-Administration on a Differential-Reinforcement-of-Low-Rates Schedule. Poster

presented at Creighton University, CURAS Research Symposium, Omaha, NE.

Lee, S.S., Christenson, S., Baiyee-Cady, R., Wolfe, M., Greisen, J. and Stairs, D.J.

(2016 May) Effects of Nicotine Exposure on Behavioral Inhibition and Self-

Dustin J. Stairs 16

Curriculum Vitae

Administration in Rats Raised in Isolation. Poster presented at Creighton

University, Annual Phi Sigma Colloquium, Omaha, NE.

R. Baiyee-Cady, M. Pfaff and D.J. Stairs (2015 April) Effects of Environmental Enrichment on d-Amphetamine Self-Administration and Food-Maintained Responding Following Nicotine Exposure. Poster presented at Creighton University, Annual Phi Sigma Colloquium, Omaha, NE.

Pfaff, M.N. (2015 April) Effects of Amphetamine and Ketamine on Responding

Under a Differential-Reinforcement-of-Low-Rates Schedule of Reinforcement. Oral

talk at Creighton University’s annual Honors Day, Omaha, NE.

Kangiser, M.M (2015 April) Effects of Varenicline and GZ-793A on

Methamphetamine and Food Self-Administration Under a Multiple Schedule of

Reinforcement in Rats. Oral talk at Creighton University’s annual Honors Day,

Omaha, NE.

Kangiser, M.M., Pfaff, M.N. and Stairs, D.J. (2014 Sept) Effects of Varenicline and

GZ-793A on Methamphetamine and Food Self-administration under a Multiple

Schedule of Reinforcement in Rats. Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton

University, Ferlic Summer Research Program Poster Presentation, Omaha, NE.

Pfaff, M.N., Ewin, S.E., Kangiser, M.M., Salvatore, C.A., Daugherty, K.A., Schroeder, M.K., and Stairs, D.J. (2014 May). Effects of Environmental Enrichment on d-Amphetamine Self-Administration Following Nicotine Exposure. Poster presented at the Nebraska Neuroscience Symposium, Omaha, NE.

Daugherty, K.A., Kangiser, M.M. and Pfaff, M.N. (2014 May). Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Adolescent Nicotine Exposure on Amphetamine Self-Administration. Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton University, Biology Day and Honors Research Day, Omaha, NE.

Quast, M., Stairs, D.J., and Bockman, C.S. (2013 February). Effect of Differential

Rearing on Nicotine-Stimulated Behaviors and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Subtypes. Poster presented at the annual Midwest Student Biomedical Research

Forum annual meeting, Omaha, NE.

Shoemaker, L.E (2012 May). Effects of Caffeine in an Ethanol Solution on Ethanol

Drinking in a Two-Bottle Choice Procedure in Rats. Undergraduate poster

presented at Creighton University, Biology Day and Honors Research Day,

Omaha, NE.

Klug, J.J., and Wiles, M.P. (2012 May). Effects of Environmental Enrichment on

Nicotine Exposure during Adolescence and Nicotine-Induced Locomotor Behavior

Dustin J. Stairs 17

Curriculum Vitae

in Adulthood. Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton University, Biology

Day, Omaha, NE.

Grask, T., Klug, J, Shoemaker, L. and Hasselquist, L.A. (2011 April). Effects of

Environmental Enrichment on Ethanol Drinking Behavior in Rats. Undergraduate

poster presented at Creighton University, Biology Day, Omaha, NE.

Adams E., Kraft, M. (2011 April). Does Exposure to Novelty During Development

Alter the Cross-Sensitization of Nicotine and Amphetamine in Rats?

Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton University, Biology Day, Omaha, NE.

Theim, K. (2011 Mar). A review of contingency management therapies to aid in

smoking cessation. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great Plains Students’

Psychology Conference, Topeka, KS.

Seifert, K.M. (2011 Mar). An international leering at prevention and treatment for

substance use. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great Plains Students’


Hankey, M. (2011 Mar). Analysis of self-administration and subjective effects for

human behavioral pharmacology. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great

Plains Students’ Psychology Conference, Topeka, KS.

Brown, S.D. (2011 Mar). Under the influence: the effects of alcohol and other

factors on driving. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great Plains Students’


Smetter, J. (2011 Mar). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for cocaine users: efficacy,

mechanisms, and future directions. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great


Grawe, H. (2011 Mar). Comparison of treatment efficacy for prescription opiate

dependence and heroin. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great Plains

Students’ Psychology Conference, Topeka, KS.

Adams, E. (2011 Mar). The effect of rodent environmental enrichment on the

cross-sensitization of nicotine. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great


Dustin J. Stairs 18

Curriculum Vitae

Chen, J. (2011 Mar). The biology of conditioned place preference: the anatomy and

neurochemicals involved. Talk presented at Washburn University, Great Plains

Students’ Psychology Conference, Topeka, KS.

Rizzo, M.C. (2011 Mar). Identifying and examining at-risk populations and

demographic differences in adolescent drug initiation. Talk presented at Washburn

University, Great Plains Students’ Psychology Conference, Topeka, KS.

Yadav, R. Gupta, S.C., Hillman B.G., Bhatt, J.M., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M.

(2011 Feb). Deficits in Social Interaction and Abnormal Synaptic Proteins. Poster

presented at the Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum annual meeting,

Omaha, NE.

Hillman B.G., Gupta, S.C., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2011 Feb). Ablation of

NR2C Receptor Models Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia. Poster presented at

the Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum annual meeting, Omaha, NE.

Adams E.E. and Stairs, D.J. (2010 Nov). Does Exposure to Novelty During

Development Alter the Cross-Sensitization of Nicotine and Amphetamine During

Development in Rats? Undergraduate poster presented at the Creighton

University, Ferlic Summer Research Program Poster Presentation, Omaha, NE.

Hickle, T, Bockman, C.S. and Stairs, D.J. (2010 April). Does environmental

enrichment alter the locomotor stimulant effects of nicotine and brain nicotinic

receptor densities in rats? Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton University

Honors Program Research Forum, Omaha, NE.

Hillman, B.G., Stairs, D.J., and Dravid, S.M. (2010 Feb). Acquisition and Extinction

of Fear in NR2C Knockout Mouse. Poster presented at the Midwest Student

Biomedical Research Forum annual meeting, Omaha, NE.

Schwarzkopf, L and Stairs, D.J. (2009 April). Does environmental enrichment alter

drinking behavior in rats? Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton University

Honors Program Research Forum, Omaha, NE. Also presented at Creighton

University Biology Day.

Mittelstet, B and Stairs, D.J. (2009 April). Environmental enrichment and the

subjective effects of caffeine in rats. Undergraduate poster presented at Creighton

University Honors Program Research Forum, Omaha, NE. Also presented at

Creighton University Biology Day.

Dustin J. Stairs 19

Curriculum Vitae

Fosdick, J.E. and Stairs, D.J. (2009 April). Does environmental enrichment alter

the locomotor stimulant effects in rats? Undergraduate poster presented at

Creighton University Honors Program Research Forum, Omaha, NE. Also

presented at Creighton University Biology Day. Awarded most outstanding poster.

Schwarzkopf, L and Stairs, D.J. (2009 April). Does environmental enrichment alter

drinking behavior in rats? Undergraduate talk presented at the Nebraska Academy

of Sciences Annual Meeting, Lincoln, NE.

Mittelstet, B and Stairs, D.J. (2009 April). Environmental enrichment and the

subjective effects of caffeine in rats. Undergraduate talk presented at the

Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Lincoln, NE.

Fosdick, J.E. and Stairs, D.J. (2009 April). Does environmental enrichment alter

the locomotor stimulant effects in rats? Undergraduate talk presented at the

Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, Lincoln, NE.

Fosdick, J.E. and Stairs, D.J. (2008 October). The role of stress hormones in

enrichment-induced differences in the locomotor response to amphetamine.

Undergraduate poster presented at the Creighton University, Ferlic Summer

Research Program Poster Presentation, Omaha, NE.

Holiday, V., Stairs, D.J. and Bardo, M.T. (2006 April). Does Age of Exposure to

Environmental Enrichment in Rats Alter Sensitivity to Stimulant Drugs?

Undergraduate poster presented at the University of Kentucky, Department of

Biology honors day, Lexington, KY.

Memberships/Affiliations:

College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) 2010-Present

Midwestern Psychological Association 2008-Present

Midlands Chapter Society for Neuroscience 2008-Present

American Psychological Association 2012-Present

o Division 28 – Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse 2006-Present

International Study Group Investigating Drugs as Reinforcers (ISGIDAR) 2004-Present

Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology 1997-Present

Golden Key National Honor Society 1997-Present

Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education 1996-Present

Association for Behavior Analysis 2005-2008

Southeastern Association for Behavior Analysis 2000-2003

Bluegrass Chapter Society for Neuroscience 2004-2007

Service:

Dustin J. Stairs 20

Curriculum Vitae


Departmental Level

Department Curriculum Committee 2012-Present

o Chair 2012-15, 2016-2018

Outcomes Assessment Committee 2015-16

Organize Psychology Bowl 2008-12, 2016

Psi Chi Faculty Advisor 2009-13

o Psi Chi Model Chapter Award – 2010-2011

Open House Psychology Representative 2008-10

Faculty Hire Search Committee 2008-09

Dahl Student Travel Fund 2007-08

College Level

Faculty Senate 2015-Present

o Steering Committee 2017-2016

Pre-Health Sciences Advisor 2010-Present

Stairs, D.J. (2011, 2015) Using Animal’s in Laboratory Research.

Invited talk at the Pre-Veterinary Club, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

University Level

Creighton University

Member for Neuroscience Center Team for University Strategic Plan 2014

Panel Discussant on Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Research

o Creighton University Interdisciplinary Conversations March 2013

School of Medicine – Department of Pharmacology

Member of Doctoral and Master Students Committee

Masters, Qualifying Exams and Dissertations

o Pauravi Gandhi – Dept of Pharmacology – Ph.D. 2017-Present

o Aparna Ravikrishnan – Dept of Pharmacology – M.A. 2014-2015

o Brandon Hillman - Dept of Pharmacology – Ph.D. 2009-2012

o Roopali Yadav - Dept of Pharmacology – Ph.D. 2009-2012

Member of Faculty and Academic Council 2010-2013

IACUC Member 2017-Present

Regional Level

Nebraska Psychological Society (NPS) – Doane College Fall, 2007

o Judge of Student Presentations

Midwestern Psychological Association May 2013

o Session Moderator

National/International Level

Ad hoc Reviewer

o Critical Reviews in Neurobiology

o European Neuropsychopharmacology

o Behavioural Pharmacology

Dustin J. Stairs 21

Curriculum Vitae

o Drug and Alcohol Dependence

o Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior

o British Journal of Pharmacology

o Behavioural Brain Research

o Physiology and Behavior

o Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior

o Behavioral Neuroscience

o Neuropharmacology

o PLOS ONE

o Life Sciences

o Neuroscience Letters

o Addictive Behaviors

o Behavioural Processes

o Journal of Psychopharmacology

College on Problems of Drug Dependence

o Animals in Research Committee – Member 2018-Present

o Chair of Oral Presentation Session June 2011

o Chair of Oral Presentation Session June 2018

American Psychological Association – Division 28

o Chair of Membership Jan 2014-Present

o Division 28 Undergraduate Scholarship Committee Dec 2015-Present

o Member of Proficiency Working Group Aug 2016-2017

In conjunction with Society of Addiction Psychology

o Division 28 Committee on Diversity Member May 2017-Present

o Abstract Submission Invited-Reviewer Dec 2011

Research Assistantships:


July 2000 to May 2003

Learned numerous procedures and aspects of behavioral pharmacology

research and experimental therapeutic research.

Learned surgical techniques for jugular vein catheterization in rodents.

Involved in setting up and wiring operant conditioning equipment involved in

pharmaceutical research.

` University of Kentucky Lexington, KY

June 2003-2007

USPHS R41 DA16521, M. T. Bardo (PI) "STTR: Nornicotine enantiomers and

nicotine self-administration," June 2003-May 2004.

o Learned various neuroscience techniques.

Dustin J. Stairs 22

Curriculum Vitae

USPHS R01 DA12964, M. T. Bardo (PI), "Novelty, dopamine and response to

amphetamine," June 2004-Present.

o Learned stereotaxic surgeries and intracerebral microinfusions.

dustin j. stairs, ph.d. - creighton university · stairs, d.j. (july 2011) using behavioral...

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