The Rockefeller University | United States
Author Profile
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EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz began her scholarly journey with a strong foundation in behavioral neurobiology, setting the stage for a career centered on understanding complex brain-behavior relationships. Her educational path led her to specialize in the neurochemical regulation of behavior, which ultimately culminated in a Ph.D. and her current role at The Rockefeller University. Her early academic interests were shaped by the intersections of neuroscience, psychology, and biology, guiding her toward a focus on substance use and its developmental implications.
PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Currently serving as a Research Associate Professor at The Rockefeller University in the Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Dr. Leibowitz has established herself as a leading researcher in the neurobiology of addiction. Her work bridges multiple substances of abuse—alcohol, nicotine, and highly palatable foods—by exploring shared neurochemical pathways and behavioral outcomes. Her expertise in rodent models enables her to dissect the neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems responsible for transitioning from casual substance use to dependency.
Dr. Leibowitz's research examines how brain reward systems and emotional traits like novelty-seeking, impulsivity, and anxiety influence substance use. Her studies uncover neurochemical parallels across different substances—fat, alcohol, and nicotine—highlighting the common mechanisms that underpin addiction. More recently, she has delved into the developmental impacts of maternal substance use, revealing how exposure during gestation can lead to long-lasting changes in offspring brain architecture and behavior. Her focus on brain reprogramming, early detection of addiction risk, and preventive strategies positions her work at the cutting edge of behavioral neurobiology.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
Dr. Leibowitz's investigations have significantly contributed to our understanding of how addiction develops and persists. Her insights into embryonic exposure effects have profound implications for public health, maternal care, and early intervention. Through translational models such as rodents and zebrafish, she has created pathways to study substance-induced neurodevelopmental disorders with broad biomedical relevance. Her collaborative efforts with scientists like Olga Karatayev and Adam Collier demonstrate her leadership in interdisciplinary research.
ACADEMIC CITES
Dr. Leibowitz’s scholarly work is highly regarded, as evidenced by her publications in top-tier journals like International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Addiction Biology, Journal of Neuroinflammation, Neuroscience, and Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Among her recent influential works are:
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“Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH): Role in Mediating Reward-Motivated and Emotional Behavior” (2025)
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“Neurological Disorders Induced by Drug Use” (2024)
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“Embryonic Ethanol Exposure and Behavioral Disturbances” (2022)
Her articles are widely cited, reflecting her strong academic influence in behavioral neurobiology and substance abuse research.
LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Leibowitz is shaping a legacy as a pioneer in developmental addiction neuroscience. Her continued research into the chemokine and neuroimmune systems, especially in relation to maternal and embryonic exposure to addictive substances, is expected to inform future therapeutic and preventative approaches. As the societal burden of addiction and mental health grows, her work will likely influence policy, early childhood healthcare, and neuroscience-based interventions. Her ongoing projects aim to identify biomarkers of susceptibility and mechanisms for reversing early-life brain changes, ensuring that her contributions will remain vital in both academic and clinical spheres.
OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS
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Collaborative Approach: Dr. Leibowitz works closely with a dynamic team of co-authors, fostering innovation across institutions and disciplines.
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Animal Models as Research Tools: Her pioneering use of zebrafish and rodent models expands the toolkit for studying addiction and neurodevelopment.
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Focus on Sex Differences: Several of her studies highlight sexually dimorphic responses in brain development and substance effects, addressing a critical gap in addiction science.
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
"Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (MCH): Role in Mediating Reward-Motivated and Emotional Behavior and the Behavioral Disturbances Produced by Repeated Exposure to Reward Substances"
- Author: Olga Karatayev; Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year: 2025
"Neurological Disorders Induced by Drug Use: Effects of Adolescent and Embryonic Drug Exposure on Behavioral Neurodevelopment"
- Author: Olga Karatayev; Adam D. Collier; Stella R. Targoff; Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year: 2024
"Utility of the Zebrafish Model for Studying Neuronal and Behavioral Disturbances Induced by Embryonic Exposure to Alcohol, Nicotine, and Cannabis"
- Author: Adam D. Collier; Abdul R. Abdulai; Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Journal: Cells
- Year: 2023
"Role of Chemokine Cxcl12a in Mediating the Stimulatory Effects of Ethanol on Embryonic Development of Subpopulations of Hypocretin/Orexin Neurons and Their Projections"
- Author: Nushrat Yasmin; Adam D. Collier; Abdul R. Abdulai; Olga Karatayev; Boyi Yu; Milisia Fam; Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Journal: Cells
- Year: 2025
"Embryonic ethanol exposure induces ectopic Hcrt and MCH neurons outside hypothalamus in rats and zebrafish: Role in ethanol‐induced behavioural disturbances"
- Author: Adam D. Collier; Nushrat Yasmin; Guo‐Qing Chang; Olga Karatayev; Nailya Khalizova; Milisia Fam; Abdul R. Abdulai; Boyi Yu; Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Journal: Addiction Biology
- Year: 2025