Behavioral Neuroscience
Dr. Eckard earned his B.A. from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and his
M.S. and Ph.D. from West Virginia University. He then conducted postdoctoral research
at the University of Rochester before joining Radford University in 2022. His research
uses animal models to understand how cannabinoid abuse affects cognitive and emotional
processes with a focus on finding treatments for cannabis dependence. Dr. Eckard teaches
graduate and undergraduate courses in learning principles, psychopharmacology, and
research methods. He currently serves as Coordinator for the Experimental Psychology
Program.
Selected Publications or Presentations
Eckard, M.L. & Kinsey, S.G. Differential disruption of response alternation by precipitated Δ9-THC
withdrawal and subsequent Δ9-THC abstinence in mice. (2024). Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 236, 173718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173718
Eckard, M.L., Welle, K., Sobolewski, M., Cory-Slechta, D.A. (2023) A behavioral timing intervention
upregulates striatal serotonergic markers and reduces impulsive action in adult male
mice. Behavioural Brain Research, 440, 114267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114267
Eckard, M.L., Marvin, E., Conrad, K., Oberdörster, G., Sobolewski, M., & Cory-Slechta, D.A. (2023).
Neonatal exposure to ultrafine iron but not combined iron and sulfur aerosols recapitulates
air pollution-induced impulsivity in mice. NeuroToxicology, 94, 191-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2022.12.004
Eckard, M. L., & Kinsey, S. G. (2021). Gabapentin attenuates somatic signs of precipitated Δ9-THC
withdrawal in mice. Neuropharmacology. 190, 108554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108554
Eckard, M. L., Trexler, K. R., Kotson, B., Anderson, K. G., & Kinsey, S. G. (2020). Precipitated
Δ9-THC withdrawal reduces motivation for sucrose reinforcement in mice. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior. 195, 172966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172966
Trexler, K. R., Eckard, M. L., & Kinsey, S. G. (2019). CB1 positive allosteric modulation attenuates Δ9-THC withdrawal and NSAID-induced gastric
inflammation. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 177, (27-33). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2018.12.009
Courses taught in the Psychology Department
- PSYC 774 – Psychopharmacology
- PSYC 333 – Principles of Learning
- PSYC 302 – Research Methods
- PSYC 301 – Analysis of Psychological Data
