Max Joffe, PhD, Promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry
We are pleased to announce that Max Joffe, PhD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Dr. Joffe received his PhD in pharmacology from Vanderbilt University, where he additionally completed postdoctoral research training before joining us as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry.
Dr. Joffe investigates the relationship between prefrontal cortex functions and behaviors related to alcohol and substance use disorders, focusing on how G protein-coupled receptors—particularly metabotropic glutamate receptors—moderate distinct subtypes of prefrontal cortex neurons. G protein-couple receptors comprise a superfamily of proteins that are the targets of more than one-third of all medications, and Dr. Joffe’s long-term goal is to inform the development of medications that treat addiction. His lab employs a combination of optogenetics, whole-cell electrophysiology, in vivo biosensor-based imaging, and behavioral neuroscience.
Dr. Joffe is principal investigator (PI) of a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) R01, focused on examining the mechanisms of alcohol’s effects on prefrontal cortex circuits. In addition, he is PI of a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) R01 focused on how discrete aspects of prefrontal cortex neural circuit function are related to behavioral changes following long-term fentanyl self-administration. Dr. Joffe also leads a NIDA R21 grant and a NIDA Avenir Award for Chemistry and Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 grant). Dr. Joffe has published his research in multiple prestigious scientific journals and has been invited to speak on numerous occasions nationally and internationally.
Dr. Joffe has been recognized by nationally prominent roles, as well as multiple awards and honors. His recognitions include a NARSAD Investigator Award and a Neuropsychopharmacology Editor’s Early Career Award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). In 2024, he was elected as an associate member of ACNP. Dr. Joffe serves on the Research Society on Alcohol Board of Directors, where he has additionally served as chair of the Animal Research and Ethics Committee. He has previously been invited to participate in a special task force to develop mission statements and charges for the Society. Internationally, Dr. Joffe serves as a member of the International Narcotics Research Conference Scientific Program Committee.
Dr. Joffe is a superb teacher and mentor who has made valuable contributions to the educational missions of the Department and University. For graduate and medical students, he served as course director for a PhD-level Neuroscience course, has provided lectures on cellular and molecular neuroscience, and served as a Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh journal club facilitator. Dr. Joffe’s research mentees have appeared as first author on impactful papers.
“An outstanding scientist, Dr. Joffe uses basic neuroscience approaches to improve our understanding of the etiology and treatment of substance and alcohol use disorders. He has contributed important findings to his field and published his work in highly influential journals. Accordingly, Dr. Joffe has earned well-deserved recognition through multiple honors and awards. He is an outstanding teacher and mentor, and makes many important and influential service contributions, particularly with national organizations. He is a superb citizen of the scientific community,” said David Lewis, MD (Chair, Department of Psychiatry).
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Joffe!