Gerry Hecht

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Gerry Hecht

Gerry Hecht

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Biography

Southern University and A&M College - Psychology

Developmental Neuropharmacologist
Gerald
Hecht
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area
Overview
I aspire to pursue novel contexts to explore all of the role of sex differences at the intersection of Psychology and neuropharmacology --most recently in the role of serving as an Expert Neurotoxicology Witness in Federal Arbitration Hearings.

Research Summary
I mainly focus on basic research using rat models to examine the neurophysiological, immunological and psychological impacts of self-administered drugs over the reproductive cycle and the acute and lasting effects of prenatal drug use over the lifespan.

Techniques
My research is inquiry --rather than technique-driven, utilizing a variety of methodological approaches and collaborative relationships across multiple levels of analysis with other laboratories to address questions of interest. Routine neurochemical assays include hormonal assays, assessment of blood and brain drug levels and, in conjunction with collaborators, assessment of mRNA and protein levels using RT-PCR and in vitro receptor binding assays, with simultaneous, real time behavioral observation on multiple levels, from the individual organism to group behavioral observations in laboratory, semi-naturalistic, and naturalistic settings --with a particular focus on incorporating the highest possible levels of ecological validity.

Mentoring and Teaching Philosophy
Science is a life-long approach to human understanding that begins with the curiosity of infancy and continues throughout life for those who are passionate about science. Faculty and students are on the same path of seeking knowledge and new discoveries, albeit at different points in the journey. I view mentoring as a two-way street of sharing knowledge and making discoveries. Mentors pass along knowledge and "life lessons" they have acquired from their past scientific endeavors and continuing reading of the literature, while mentees provide unique perspectives and energy that help energize the field. Collaboration is the key; real world application the lock.

Experience

    Education

    • Binghamton University

      Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

      Behavioral Neuropharmacology
      1991-1997: Doctoral student in Psychobiology Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY. Degree: Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuropharmacology May 1997 Doctoral Dissertation: Effects of reproductive cycle and prenatal cocaine exposure on progressive ratio responding for intravenous cocaine. Research Advisor: Dr. Linda P. Spear

    • Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award in Science and Mathematics


      Gerald S. Hecht Department of Psychology 'Effects of Reproductive Cycle and Prenatal Cocaine Exposure on Progressive Ratio Responding for Intravenous Cocaine' Principle Dissertation Supervisor: Linda Spear

    • West Chester University of Pennsylvania

      Master of Science (M.S.)

      Experimental Psychology
      1989-1990: Graduate student in Experimental Psychology West Chester University, West Chester, PA. Major: Experimental Psychology Degree: M.A. in Experimental Psychology May 1990 Masters Thesis: Influences of Amiloride hydrochloride on taste detection performance: a signal detection analysis. Research Advisor: Dr. Louis Porter

    • Rowan University

      Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

      Experimental Psychology
      1986-1989: Research Assistant and undergraduate student in Psychology/Biology Rowan University , Glassboro, NJ Major: Psychology Minor: Biology Degree: B.A. in Psychology May 1989 Honors Thesis: The role of copper and vitamin B-6 in taste sensitivity in the rat: A signal detection analysis. Research Advisor: Dr. Gary M. Brosvic

    • •Clyde Davis Award for outstanding undergraduate research project, 1989.


      Annual prize for Undergraduate Research. In 1989 I had two peer-reviewed publications in Physiology and Behavior and two talks at professional conferences: 1. •1989: Hecht, G.S. And Brosvic, G.M. Procedure Specific effects of amiloride hydrochloride on taste detection performance. Psychonomic Society, Atlanta, Georgia. 2. •1987: Hecht, G.S. And Brosvic, G.M. Effects of copper deprivation on taste sensitivity. Eastern Psychological Association, Boston, Massachusetts.

    Publications

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Disturbances in the performance of thermal discrimination tasks following cortical ablations in rats.

      Brain Research

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Disturbances in the performance of thermal discrimination tasks following cortical ablations in rats.

      Brain Research

    • Effects of copper and vitamin B-6 deficiency on taste sensitivity in the rat: a signal detection analysis.

      Physiology ahd Behavior

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Disturbances in the performance of thermal discrimination tasks following cortical ablations in rats.

      Brain Research

    • Effects of copper and vitamin B-6 deficiency on taste sensitivity in the rat: a signal detection analysis.

      Physiology ahd Behavior

    • Alterations in the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Disturbances in the performance of thermal discrimination tasks following cortical ablations in rats.

      Brain Research

    • Effects of copper and vitamin B-6 deficiency on taste sensitivity in the rat: a signal detection analysis.

      Physiology ahd Behavior

    • Alterations in the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Perceptual consequences of electrical stimulation in the gustatory system.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Disturbances in the performance of thermal discrimination tasks following cortical ablations in rats.

      Brain Research

    • Effects of copper and vitamin B-6 deficiency on taste sensitivity in the rat: a signal detection analysis.

      Physiology ahd Behavior

    • Alterations in the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Perceptual consequences of electrical stimulation in the gustatory system.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Further studies of the reinforcing effects of benztropine analogs in rhesus monkeys.

      Psychopharmacology (Berl)

    • Assessing the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Developmental Psychobiology

    • Quality-specific differences in rat taste detection performance as a function of stimulus volume.

      Physiology and Behavior

    • Pre-quit depression level and smoking expectancies for mood management predict the nature of smoking withdrawal symptoms in college women smokers.

      Addictive Behavior

    • Disturbances in the performance of thermal discrimination tasks following cortical ablations in rats.

      Brain Research

    • Effects of copper and vitamin B-6 deficiency on taste sensitivity in the rat: a signal detection analysis.

      Physiology ahd Behavior

    • Alterations in the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in adult rats following prenatal exposure to cocaine.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Perceptual consequences of electrical stimulation in the gustatory system.

      Behavioral Neuroscience

    • Further studies of the reinforcing effects of benztropine analogs in rhesus monkeys.

      Psychopharmacology (Berl)

    • Hecht, G.S., Spear, N.E., and Spear, L.P. (1999).Changes in progressive ratio responding for intravenous cocaine throughout the reproductive process in female rats.

      Dev Psychobiol, Sep;35(2):136-45.

      A select publication --now widely acknowledged as the first ecologically valid animal model of the "crack baby" phenomenon.

    HIST 4

    4.5(1)

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    INTRO 12

    5(1)

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    PSY 200

    3(1)

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    PSYC 110

    4.5(1)

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    PSYC 210

    Course also known as:
    PHSYC210
    PSYC210
    PSYCH210

    4.9(10)

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    PSYC 445

    5(1)

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    PSYC 488

    5(1)

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    PSYCH

    Course also known as:
    PSYCH
    PSYCHOLOGY

    5(2)

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    PSYCH 377

    5(1)

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    SENANDPERC

    4(1)

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