Dr. Sarah Leibowitz | Behavioral Neurobiology | Most Cited Article Award

The Rockefeller University | United States

Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz is a Research Associate Professor at The Rockefeller University in the Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology. With a career dedicated to uncovering the neural basis of addiction, she focuses on how the brain regulates consumption of substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as high-fat and high-sugar foods. Her pioneering work explores the transition from casual intake to substance dependence, linking specific brain mechanisms to addictive behaviors. Dr. Leibowitz’s research also highlights how emotional traits—such as impulsivity and anxiety—influence substance use. In recent years, she has expanded her work to investigate how maternal diet and drug exposure during pregnancy affect the brain development and behavior of offspring. Her studies reveal persistent neural and behavioral changes that may increase vulnerability to addiction later in life. Through her research, she aims to identify early indicators of addiction risk and explore preventive strategies for substance abuse disorders.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz earned her Ph.D. in behavioral neurobiology, establishing her foundation in neuroscience and psychobiology. Although specific details of her academic institutions are not publicly disclosed, her academic trajectory clearly reflects rigorous training in neurobiology, endocrinology, and developmental neuroscience. Her education emphasized the interplay between brain structure, behavior, and environmental stimuli—especially as related to addiction and nutrition. Over the course of her doctoral and postdoctoral work, she developed specialized expertise in rodent models, neurochemical techniques, and behavioral neuroscience. Her educational background has equipped her to contribute significantly to the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying addiction, impulsivity, and maternal influences on brain development. Dr. Leibowitz’s academic formation has not only shaped her robust research career but also positioned her as a mentor and thought leader in the intersection of behavioral neuroscience, addiction research, and developmental psychobiology.

Experience

Dr. Sarah Leibowitz brings decades of experience in behavioral neuroscience, serving as a Research Associate Professor at The Rockefeller University. In this role, she leads research exploring how neurochemical circuits in the brain influence the consumption of addictive substances and palatable foods. Her experience spans experimental neurobiology, developmental studies, and translational addiction research, using advanced rodent models to simulate human behavioral patterns. She has worked extensively on characterizing the neural pathways that control emotional traits such as impulsivity and anxiety, which predispose individuals to addiction. In addition, Dr. Leibowitz has pioneered investigations into prenatal programming—studying how maternal substance use affects offspring neurodevelopment and behavior. Her career has been marked by interdisciplinary collaborations, significant grant support, and mentoring emerging scientists. Dr. Leibowitz’s extensive lab-based research experience has positioned her at the forefront of studies on addiction vulnerability, making meaningful contributions to both basic neuroscience and potential clinical applications.

Awards and Honors

While specific awards and honors for Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz are not publicly detailed, her long-standing appointment at The Rockefeller University—a prestigious research institution—attests to her outstanding contributions in behavioral neurobiology. Recognition in the scientific community is reflected through her published research, influential collaborations, and leadership in addiction-related neuroscience. She is frequently cited in peer-reviewed journals, indicating strong academic impact and recognition from fellow researchers. Her studies addressing prenatal influences on addiction vulnerability have garnered widespread attention in developmental neuroscience and public health sectors. In addition to academic merit, Dr. Leibowitz’s role as a mentor and educator suggests acknowledgment of her commitment to training the next generation of scientists. The significance and longevity of her research position imply that she has received competitive research funding and peer-reviewed grants, further recognizing the value of her work in advancing understanding of substance use disorders.

Research Focus

Dr. Leibowitz’s research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction, particularly the transition from use to dependence on substances like alcohol, nicotine, and palatable foods. Her laboratory investigates how neurochemical pathways in various brain regions drive compulsive consumption and are influenced by traits such as novelty seeking, impulsivity, and anxiety. A major area of her research explores the developmental origins of addiction: how maternal consumption of drugs or high-fat/high-sugar diets during pregnancy alters brain development and long-term behavior in offspring. These studies reveal that such prenatal exposures can “reprogram” the brain, increasing susceptibility to substance use disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Through rodent models, Dr. Leibowitz aims to identify biomarkers and early-life predictors of addiction risk, as well as investigate potential interventions for prevention. Her multidisciplinary approach integrates behavioral neuroscience, endocrinology, and developmental biology, contributing valuable insights into addiction’s origins, progression, and possible prevention strategies.

Publications

Title: Neurological Disorders Induced by Drug Use: Effects of Adolescent and Embryonic Drug Exposure on Behavioral Neurodevelopment
Year: 2024
Citations: 2

Title: Utility of the Zebrafish Model for Studying Neuronal and Behavioral Disturbances Induced by Embryonic Exposure to Alcohol, Nicotine, and Cannabis
Year: 2023
Citations: 8

Title: Role of Chemokine Cxcl12a in Mediating the Stimulatory Effects of Ethanol on Embryonic Development of Subpopulations of Hypocretin/Orexin Neurons and Their Projections
Year: 2023
Citations: 10

Title: Embryonic ethanol exposure induces ectopic Hcrt and MCH neurons outside hypothalamus in rats and zebrafish: Role in ethanol‐induced behavioural disturbances
Year: 2022
Citations: 18

Conclusion

Dr. Sarah F. Leibowitz’s work stands at the intersection of neuroscience, behavior, and developmental biology, providing groundbreaking insights into addiction, prenatal brain development, and preventive strategies for substance use disorders, making her a leading figure in behavioral neurobiology and addiction research.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Azzeddine Charki | Neuropsychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Azzeddine Charki is a Professor of Cognitive and Biological Psychology at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences Aïn Chock, Hassan II University, Casablanca. He holds a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez. Dr. Charki is an esteemed researcher and active member of the Laboratory for Studies and Research in Cognitive and Human Sciences, focusing on psychology and language. With a strong dedication to cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, he supervises numerous research projects and contributes significantly to academic discourse. He has authored and co-authored several publications in high-impact journals on topics such as executive function, mentalizing, and neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD and ADHD. Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, he integrates pedagogical expertise with rigorous data analysis and project management. Dr. Charki’s commitment to advancing psychological science is matched by his passion for mentoring and fostering academic growth in his field.

🎓 Education

Dr. Azzeddine Charki earned his Ph.D. in Neuropsychology from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his deep specialization in neuropsychology and cognitive sciences, particularly in executive function and mentalizing. Throughout his academic training, he developed a multidisciplinary understanding of brain-behavior relationships, integrating biological, cognitive, and social perspectives. His education emphasized both theoretical models and practical application in clinical and developmental contexts. Dr. Charki also received training in pedagogy, research methodology, and advanced data analysis techniques, which he continues to use in his academic career. His strong educational background has enabled him to contribute to Moroccan and international scholarship in cognitive and neuropsychology. His academic formation has also nurtured a strong inclination toward interdisciplinary research and collaborative knowledge production, particularly in the study of social cognition and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Azzeddine Charki began his academic career as a Temporary Professor at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez (2020–2022), where he taught and conducted research in cognitive and neuropsychology. Since November 2023, he has been serving as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences Aïn Chock, Hassan II University, Casablanca. Over the years, he has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and participated in collaborative initiatives within the university’s Laboratory for Studies and Research in Cognitive and Human Sciences. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Charki has contributed extensively to the academic literature with a focus on executive functioning, theory of mind, and developmental psychopathology. His professional experience also includes project management, scientific writing, and dissemination of research findings. His bilingual and multicultural skills have allowed him to reach a wide range of students and researchers across Arabic, Francophone, and Anglophone academic contexts.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Azzeddine Charki has earned recognition primarily through his impactful research publications and academic service in Morocco’s leading institutions. Although specific named awards were not detailed, his repeated inclusion in peer-reviewed international and regional journals such as Applied Neuropsychology: Child, Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology, and the Arab Journal of Psychology signifies scholarly acknowledgment of his research excellence. His work on autism spectrum disorder, theory of mind, and executive functions reflects high intellectual merit and contributes meaningfully to both theoretical understanding and practical applications in neuropsychology. Dr. Charki’s mentorship of numerous student research projects and his active engagement in cross-disciplinary studies also underscore his standing as a respected academic. Being a core member of a cognitive science laboratory at Hassan II University further testifies to his leadership in scientific inquiry and academic collaboration. These contributions collectively demonstrate his respected status and growing impact in the field of cognitive psychology and neurodevelopmental research.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Charki’s research centers on cognitive psychology and neuropsychology, with particular interest in executive functions, social cognition, and neurodevelopmental disorders. He investigates mentalizing processes, especially the cognitive and affective domains of theory of mind in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). His work explores both typical and atypical development, aiming to identify neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying disorders such as ASD and ADHD. He also delves into comparative frameworks across schizophrenia spectrum disorders, highlighting the neurobiological overlap in social cognition deficits. Dr. Charki integrates developmental psychology, neurobiology, and psychometric assessments to explore how children’s cognitive representations are structured and evolve in different socio-cultural contexts. His scholarly publications demonstrate a strong methodological foundation and innovative contributions to understanding how executive functions interact with social behavior. Furthermore, he actively examines Moroccan sociocultural representations in educational contexts, blending qualitative and quantitative approaches to enrich cognitive psychological theory and practice.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Azzeddine Charki is a dedicated cognitive psychologist whose interdisciplinary research on executive function, mentalizing, and neurodevelopmental disorders enhances both scientific understanding and educational practice through a culturally grounded and evidence-based approach.

Publications

Charki, A., Zarbouch, B., Bouchala, C., & Meklaui, F., Z . (2024). Neuronal and developmental dimensions of mentalizing and it’s connection with executive functions. Arab Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.57642/AJOPSY911

Charki, A., Meklaoui, F. Z., Charki, A., & Ettouzani, A. (2025). Examining the association between variation of ASD and cognitive and affective domains of mentalizing in verbal children with ASD. Applied Neuropsychology: Child, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2025.2504502

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