Beau Oster is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Their thesis lab is led by Dr. Kristen Maynard at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, where the research focuses on defining the molecular neuroanatomy of key brain structures implicated in reward processing. The lab aims to identify cell populations and circuits vulnerable to genetic risk for neuropsychiatric disorders and addiction, advancing therapeutic target development. They take a cross-species approach, integrating cell type- and region-specific molecular profiling in the postmortem human brain with circuit-specific profiling in rodents, using modern multi-omic technologies like single-cell sequencing and spatially resolved transcriptomics.Beau’s current project investigates the mechanisms of how Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and Habenula projections to dopaminergic and serotonergic neuromodulatory hubs are implicated in motivated behaviors and neuropsychiatric disorders, including opioid use disorder.Beau’s primary research focus is on investigating neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders through cellular and molecular approaches, aiming to elucidate the neural mechanisms that contribute to the pathology of these diseases.With over five years of experience in innovative neuroscience research, Beau has refined skills in experimental design, data analysis, assay development, and molecular biology techniques. They have extensive experience with modern and cutting-edge methods, including spatial transcriptomic and single-cell analyses, enabling high-resolution insights into nervous system function and dysfunction. Their collaborative efforts with interdisciplinary teams aim to drive transformative healthcare advancements and enhance quality of life.