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  • Andrea Giuffrida, Ph.D.
Andrea Giuffrida, Ph.D.

Contact

210-567-4219

giuffrida@uthscsa.edu

For administrative calls, please contact:

  • Rebecca Smith
  • smithra0@uthscsa.edu
  • 210-567-3720

Programs

  • Ph.D. in Integrated Biomedical Sciences
  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology and Pharmacology
  • Ph.D. in Translational Science

Departments & Divisions

  • Department of Pharmacology

Institutes & Centers

  • Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies
  • Biggs Institute
  • Center for Biomedical Neurosciences
  • Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science
  • Parkinson's Disease Center of Excellence

Research

Research profile

Currently not seeking mentees

Andrea Giuffrida, Ph.D.

Vice President for Research | Professor

As a member of the UTHSA executive leadership, I provide advocacy for research, chair the Research Deans Council, and represent the institution with federal and state funding agencies, foundations and corporate research sponsors. I have operational authority to oversee and develop activities related to research infrastructure, compliances (conflict of interest, responsible conduct of research and scientific integrity) and strategic research planning and partnerships.

 

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 1998 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Pharmacology (N/A) - University of California Irvine
    • 1997 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Pharmacology - The Neurosciences Institute
    • 1996 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Biology of Reproduction (N/A) - University of Siena
    • 1994 - Postdoctoral Training - Reproductive Medicine (N/A) - University of Hannover
    • 1993 - Postdoctoral Fellowship - Evolutionary Biology - University of Siena
    • 1993 - MS - Natural Sciences (Magna Cum Laude) - University of Siena
    • 1992 - PhD - Biology - University of Catania
    • 1987 - BS - Biology (Magna Cum Laude) - University of Catania

    Training

    • 2012 - AAAS S&T Policy Fellow - Science Policy - NIH

    Highlights

    2020- AAMC, GRAND Steering Committee

    2018- THBI, Board of Directors (Vice Chair)

    2018- Int. Neuroethics Society Student/Postdoc Committee (Chair)

    2016- SA Chamber of Commerce, Board of Advisors

    2016- Xconomy, Xconomist Board

    2015- TSBR, Board of Directors

    2015- Sigma Xi Society (Elected member)

    2014- BioMedSA, Board of Directors

    2014- TBRI, Board of Trustees 

    2014- TRTF, Board of Trustees

    Appointments

    • 5/2014 - Vice President for Research Ad Interim - The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, N/A, San Antonio
    • 9/2010 - Associate Professor with Tenure - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Pharmacology, San Antonio
    • 5/2015 - Vice President for Research - The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Pharmacology, San Antonio
  • Instruction & Training

    • 7/2011 - Present, Fundamentals of Neuroethics (Course Director), UTHSCSA
    • 2014-2018, Topics in Translational Medical Product Development, UTHSCSA
  • Research & Grants

    My laboratory is interested in cannabinoid neuropharmacology. Endocannabinoids are signaling lipids that mimic marijuana’s effects by stimulating cannabinoid and other receptors expressed in brain areas critical for psycho-motor function. The endocannabinoid system may represent a pharmacological target for the treatment of conditions characterized by dopamine dysregulation, such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. We use biochemical and behavioral pharmacology approaches to investigate new pharmacotherapies to alleviate these disorders.

     

    Research profile

    Grants

    1. P. & R. Stevens Foundation, “Accelerating PD research: the Perry & Ruby Stevens Parkinson’s Disease Center of Excellence” (PI), $ 300,000/year (July 2017- June 2022).

    2. Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund Grant, “Biomedical Research Academy” (sole PI) $240,000/year (Jun 2018-May 2022)

  • Service

    Institutional

    Oversee IRB and IACUC committees, Offices of Technology Commercialization, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Postdoctoral Affairs, Animal Vivaria, compliances,  Institutional Research Core Facilities, Research IT, San Antonio Partnership for Precision Therapeutics. Promote educational and professional development programs to enhance competitiveness, facilitate grant submissions and the creation of new institutes and centers.

    National

    Represent the institution with federal and state funding agencies, foundations and corporate research sponsors. I'm a member of the AAMC GRAND Program Committee and of the Executive Leadership Group of the Association Academic Health Centers (AAHC). Review startup applications for the MassChallenge competition.

    Community

    I am a member of the following Boards of Directors: Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute (Vice Chair), Texas Society for Biomedical Research, BioMedSA, Texas Research & Technology Foundation, Texas Biomedical Research Institute

  • Publications

      Journal Article

      Matricon, J, Seillier A, Giuffrida A. Distinct neuronal activation patterns are associated with PCP-induced social withdrawal and its reversal by the endocannabinoid-enhancing drug URB597 Neurosci Res 2016 Sep;110:49-58. Perez SM, Aguilar DD, Neary JL, Carless MA, Giuffrida A, Lodge DJ. Schizophrenia-like phenotype inherited by the F2 generation fo a gestational disruption model of schizophrenia Neuropsychopharmacology 2016 Jan;41(2):477-486. Seillier A, Giuffrida A. Disuption of social cognition in the sub-chronic PCP rat model of schizophrenia: possible involvement of the endocannabinoid system Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016 Jan;26(2):298-309. Aguilar DD, Giuffrida A, Lodge DJ. THC and endocannabinoids differentially regulate neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the subchronic PCP model of schizophrenia J Psychopharmacol 2016 Jan;30(2):169-181. Martinez A.A, Morgese M.G., Pisanu A., Macheda T., Paquette M.A., Seillier A., Cassano T., Carta A., Giuffrida A. Activation of PPARgamma receptors alleviates levodopa-induced dyskinesia in 6-OHDA-treated rats Neurobiol Dis 2015 Jan;74:295-304. Hruba L, Seillier A, Zaki A, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH, Giuffrida A, McMahon LR. Simultaneous inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase shares discriminative stimulus effects with Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in mice J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015 Jan;353(2):261-268. Bilbao A, Serrano A, Cippitelli A, Pavon FJ, Giuffrida A, Suarez J, Garcia-Marchena R, Baixeras E, Gomez de Heras R, Alen F, Orio L, Cravatt B, Parsons L, Ciccocioppo R, Piomelli D, Rodriguez de Fonseca F. Role of the satiety factor oleoylethanolamide in alcoholism Addiction Biol 2015 Jan;.

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