Alex Reed

Alex is a fourth-year Biopsychology major with a minor in Applied Psychology. He is a McNair Scholar and a research assistant in the Child Studies Lab, where he explores the intricate world of social cognition at MOXI. Additionally, Alex is currently researching addiction in rats within the Szumlinski lab at UCSB and testing the effects of a therapeutic drug on addiction. His work explores the craving for sucrose and substances of abuse (methamphetamine and cocaine), aiming to contribute valuable insights into human behavior. He also actively contributes to research efforts in the Miller lab, where he examines criterion shifting and decision-making in humans, and in the PADRES Lab, where he engages in the rapid qualitative analysis of experiences related to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) within Spanish-speaking communities. Looking ahead, he is in the process of applying to Ph.D. programs in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, with a heartfelt aspiration to pioneer interdisciplinary approaches for more effective addiction and trauma treatment. His ultimate mission remains centered on empowering underserved communities through innovative research and improved therapeutic interventions.