Meet the EMSUR Mentors
The EMSUR program brings together a diverse team of faculty researchers committed to advancing addiction science in Central Appalachia. Each student is matched with a faculty mentor based on shared research interests and career goals.
Our mentors represent both Population Health and Preclinical Basic Science tracks, offering students exposure to interdisciplinary approaches that address substance use from biological, behavioral, and public health perspectives.
Research Focus:
Dr. Schmeichel’s laboratory studies the neurobiology of addiction and withdrawal using preclinical rodent models of drug dependence. Her work integrates behavioral assays, neuropharmacology, chemogenetics, and radio-telemetric sleep monitoring to examine the neural circuits involved in polysubstance use.Her research aims to better understand the biological and motivational drivers of addiction and identify therapeutic targets that may reduce craving and relapse risk.What Students May Experience in This Track:Exposure to laboratory-based addiction researchBehavioral and neurobiological experimental methodsData collection and analysis in preclinical modelsMentorship in translational neuroscience research
EMSUR Track: Preclinical Basic Science
Research Focus:
Dr. Ahuja’s research centers on the epidemiology of substance use and addictive behaviors, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), early initiation substance use, polysubstance use, substance use among U.S. military veterans, suicidal behaviors, and intergenerational patterns of addiction.His work examines risk and protective factors that inform targeted, evidence-based interventions at the population level, particularly in rural and underserved communities.What Students May Experience in This Track:Epidemiological research and data analysisCommunity and public health-focused addiction researchPolicy and prevention-oriented research designApplied research addressing rural and veteran populations
EMSUR Track: Population Health