Mark Austin
PhD
Professor
MSCP
Dr. Austin’s research has focused on the molecular neurochemistry of the serotonin system in major depressive disorder. During his career it become evident that major depression is a very heterogeneous disorder that is associated with a high rate of other serious medical comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, obesity and repetitive concussion syndrome. Dr. Austin has begun to develop a broader research program that has expanded and evolved into investigating epigenetic, developmental, cytoskeletal and signal transduction mechanisms underlying depression, chronic stress, obesity and repetitive traumatic brain injury. His research projects involve a multi-disciplinary approach that encompasses neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology disciplines and utilize a variety biochemical and molecular biological techniques as well as in vitro cell culture and in vivo small rodent models.
Dr. Austin is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Washington State University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular and behavioral neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD.