Riley Toner
Undergraduate Research Ambassador Behavioral and Cognitive NeuroscienceMajor: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
Class Year: 2028
High School: Glenda Dawson High School
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Smith
Research Focus: Addiction Neuroscience, Dopamine Dynamics, Habitual Behavior, Drugs
Other Projects and Publications: Piloting Tethered Fiber Photometry for Striatal Dopamine Research in Rodents
Organizations and Programs: Freshmen Aggies in Medicine, Building Researchers and Innovators in Neuroscience and Society
Awards and Distinctions: Dean's Honor Roll, Psychological and Brain Sciences Honors Program
Experience: Behavioral Research with Rodent Models, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, Research Presentations, Experimental Design, Clinical Shadowing, Emergency Medicine
Years Experience: 2.5
Other Activities: Reading, Running, Live Music, Playing Piano, Pickleball, Making Creative Tacos
Bio: Riley Toner is pursuing a degree in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience. He has gained research experience through two biomedical research laboratories, including Dr. Rob Britton's microbiology lab at Baylor College of Medicine and Dr. Rachel Smith's addiction neuroscience lab at Texas A&M.
Riley's research interests center on the neurobiological mechanisms that guide motivation, habit formation, and addiction. Through current research using rat models, Riley investigates the involvement of different brain regions and neurotransmitter dynamics in compulsive cocaine seeking. Riley believes that understanding of the powerful primitive forces that direct our behavior in a modern world full of things designed to hijack our attention and reward systems is crucial.
In addition to research, Riley works as an Emergency Medical Technician and plans to pursue a career in medicine.