• B.S., University of Puerto Rico, 1984
• M.S., University of Puerto Rico, 1986
• Ph.D., Rutgers University, 1993
• Postdoc, The Rockefeller University, 1993-1995

Neuroendocrinology and Behavior
The goal of our work is to determine how the central nervous system modulates the response to stressors such as pain and drugs of abuse. The neuroendocrine system is an important link between experience and behavior. Hormones actions influence sex differences, and the response to external stressors, possibly by affecting gene expression in the brain. Steroid hormones have vast effects during development and in control of behavior. Our laboratory is interested in elucidating the role of steroids and other neuroendocrine systems in addiction and in the modulation of pain in females during different physiological stages, including estrous cycle, pregnancy, and lactation. To understand these questions we are using an integrated approach, combining molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral techniques such as: in situ histochemistry, RNA solution hybridization, RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, radioimmunoassay, and behavioral monitoring.

• Quiñones-Jenab, V., Batel, P., Schlussman,S., Ho,A., and Kreek, M.J. (1997) Cocaine alters the onset of maternal nest-building in pregnant rats, Pharmacology Biochemistry Behavior: 58:1009-1013.
• Quiñones-Jenab, V., Jenab, S.,Ogawa, S., Inturissi,C.E., and Pfaff, D.W. (1997) Estrogen regulation of mu-opioid receptor messenger RNA in the forebrain of female rats. Molecular Brain Research: 47:134-138.
• Quiñones-Jenab, V., Ogawa, S., Jenab, S., and Pfaff, D.W. (1997) Effects of estrogen on oxytocin receptor MRNA expression in the uterus, pituitary and forebrain of the female rat. Neuroendocrinology, 65:9-17.
• Quiñones-Jenab, V., Ogawa, S., Jenab, S., and Pfaff, D.W. (1996) Estrogen regulation of preproenkephalin gene expression in the ventromedial hypothalamus of the female mice, temporal qualities. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 12:29-36.