Dr. Shana Augustin

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Shana M Augustin is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She leads the Augustin Lab, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission and the modulation of G protein-coupled receptors that influence motor actions and decision-making. Her research spans cellular systems-level neuroscience, particularly examining dopamine and endocannabinoid signaling, synaptic transmission, and the effects of substances like ethanol on neural circuits. Shana completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas and obtained her PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Chicago, where her research elucidated the role of cyclic AMP in mediating changes in corticostriatal synaptic transmission. She further honed her expertise during postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and at the University of Chicago. Her lab employs an integrative approach, utilizing physiology, pharmacology, mouse genetics, behavior, and optical imaging techniques to understand the flow of information within cortico-basal ganglia circuits disrupted by substance use disorders.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

— Present

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine • Chicago, Illinois

Tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology with a secondary appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Requirements for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or Mathematics Calculus (single and multi-variable) Linear Algebra Differential Equations Statistics (Linear Regression, Hypothesis Testing) Vector Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Academic Statement
  • Personal Statement
  • Application fee
Specialization Notes

Administered by The Graduate School; focuses on Biomechanics, Imaging, Biomaterials, and Regenerative Medicine.