Faculty and Staff

headshot of Jared Bagley

Jared Bagley

Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background

Jared R. Bagley joined the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at ßÙßÇÂþ»­ in 2024 as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

He uses his training in behavioral neuroscience/pharmacology and genomics to research the genetics and neurobiology of substance use disorders. In recognition of the fact that risk for substance use disorders is substantially influenced by genetics, he aims to integrate behavioral, neuroscience, genetic and genomic levels of analyses to uncover these regulatory mechanisms and their impact on the brain. Bagley received training in genetics and neuroscience in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he pursued addiction genetics research and obtained a doctorate. He continued to pursue addiction neurogenetics research as a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Psychology at ßÙßÇÂþ»­ and cultivated numerous techniques to make progress in the field.

The Bagley lab, in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at ßÙßÇÂþ»­, utilizes an eclectic variety of techniques, including behavioral pharmacology, behavioral neuroscience, advanced mouse genetics populations, pharmacogenomics, whole-transcriptome gene expression, and cutting-edge physiological neuroscience techniques. These approaches reveal genetic factors that drive changes in key behaviors, including self-administration of addictive drugs. From this knowledge, we can further delve into the impact of these genetic factors on brain function. Currently, the lab is focused on understanding how polygenic factors and candidate genes that impact cocaine self-administration may impact dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens (funded by NIH-NIDA K99/R00). We are employing cutting-edge techniques in fiber photometry and optogenetic fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in combination with polygenic and single-gene mouse models to address these questions.

In addition to research, Jared has extensive experience in teaching and mentorship and greatly enjoys working with members of the scientific community. He aims to consider the holistic needs of students and early-career scientists and hopes to cultivate an environment of learning, curiosity, creativity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, ßÙßÇÂþ»­
  • PhD, neuroscience and behavior, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • BA, psychology, University of California, Davis

Research Interests

  • Behavioral pharmacology
  • Addiction neurogenetics
  • Genomics and transcriptomics

Awards

  • NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Career Development Award
  • Carlisle Award, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2016, for recognition of outstanding graduate students in the Neuroscience and Behavior Program
  • Leading the Search, The Jackson Laboratory, 2011, for significant contributions to the development of a humanized immune system mouse model