Warden joins College of Medicine – Phoenix Department of Translational Neurosciences as associate professor

Melissa Warden, PhD, has joined the Department of Translational Neurosciences at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix as a tenured associate professor.

Warden comes to the U of A  College of Medicine – Phoenix from Cornell University, where she worked in the Department of Neurobiology. She has been a leader in the field of neural circuitry function analysis and she is highly credentialed having received her undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Princeton University and her doctorate in systems neuroscience from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Warden trained as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, at Stanford University. Her research uses highly advanced technology to study neuronal circuitry that mediates learning and behavior. Her work on brain circuitry that controls responses to rewarding and aversive stimuli has revealed new information about normal brain function and causes of mental illnesses including depression and substance use disorder. Warden’s research incorporates multi-disciplinary innovative approaches – including those her laboratory has developed – and is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Drug Addiction,

Warden is at the cutting edge of the revolution in circuit function analyses and brings leading-edge scientific innovation to our team of outstanding scientists.

Fred E. Wondisford, MD, MS, MBA, dean of the College of Medicine – Phoenix said, “We enthusiastically welcome Dr. Warden to our impressive and growing portfolio of world-leading biomedical researchers. Her addition exemplifies the commitment of our College and the University of Arizona to improving the lives of Arizona’s citizens.”

“As the first allopathic medical school in Phoenix, serving health care needs across our region and the Valley, we are very excited that Dr. Warden is bringing her leadership in this field of research to our institution,” he added.

"Dr. Warden’s approaches will contribute meaningfully to our goals of translating basic and preclinical research into better understanding of the causes of disease and how they may be more effectively treated,” said Chris Glembotski, PhD, vice dean for Research at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Warden's appointment will further the college's reputation as a national leader in research and education.