Mario Penzo, Ph.D.

Dr. Penzo’s lab is currently investigating the neuronal mechanisms underlying the formation and regulation of affective memories. Because increased stress sensitivity is a known risk factor for mood disorders, his group is interested in deciphering the neuronal circuits controlling susceptibility to stress. To achieve this they are currently employing a multidisciplinary approach, which includes behavioral assays, electrophysiological, imaging, neuroanatomical and optogenetics techniques.

Dr. Penzo obtained his Ph.D. at Albert Einstein College of Medicine with support from an NRSA training grant. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jose Luis Peña he completed his dissertation on the endocannabinoid-mediated modulation of synaptic transmission in the avian auditory midbrain. Next, he became a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Bo Li at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where he studied the synaptic mechanisms controlling fear memory and received the Harvey L. Karp Discovery Award. Dr. Penzo joined the National Institute of Mental Health in the Fall of 2015.