The Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory is housed in Owings- McQuagge Hall and is part of the Department of Psychology in the College of Education and Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. The laboratory uses the latest behavioral and pharmacological approaches to investigate the biological underpinnings of behavior in animal models of acute and chronic stress, and also several models of learning and memory.
Co-Directed by Dr. David J. Echevarria and Dr. John McCoy, the Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory prepares graduate and undergraduate students for careers in research and/or teaching in neuroscience. Students are trained in behavioral, surgical and pharmacological techniques. Using a mentoring approach to training, students involved in the Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory will get a well rounded scientific experience. Starting with research design, and basic animal care, on to the implementation of invasive and non-invasive procedures, recording of behavior, data analysis, and then ultimately the production of a manuscript to be submitted to a peer reviewed scientific journal for publication.
Mentoring is taken very seriously and the transition to independence is a primary goal. Graduate and undergraduate students working in the Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory have ample opportunity to work with Dr. Echevarria and Dr. McCoy, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with other faculty both within and outside the department. 
The links below are a representative sample of some of our latest work:

Galnon & Feeding
Rodent Signal Detection
Methylene Blue & Memory
Galanin & Perseveration
Galanin & Behavior
Galanin in the CNS
Galanin & Shock Probe Defensive Burying
Norepinephrine & Stress

The Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory is only one of several laboratories within the Department of Psychology.  For information on other laboratories within the Experimental area visit: http://www.usm.edu/psy/experimental/current_research.htm

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