Ari Kirshenbaum Professor of Psychology, Krikstone Laboratory for the Behavioral Sciences

Ari Kirshenbaum

Bio

Ph.D. University of Montana, Missoula
B.A. University of Colorado, Boulder

Post-Doctoral Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center
Post-Doctoral Scientist, University of Vermont, College of Medicine

Areas of Expertise:

Animal behavior and psychopharmacology

Courses I Teach:

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Research Methods II
  • Animal Learning and Behavior
  • Drugs and Behavior

Research

Publications:

Kirshenbaum, A.P., & Hughes, J.R. (in press). Reinforcement enhancement by nicotine: A novel abuse-liability assessment of E-cigarettes in young adults. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology.

Steinberg, J., Friesen, P., Kirshenbaum, A.P. & Parent, B. (2021). Medical Aid in Dying in New York State: A Survey of Health Care Professionals to Inform Legislation. Health Law Journal, 26(2), 48-56.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Kristofik, A., Geick, H., Schoenberg, H., & Toufexis. D. (2021). Nicotine Pretreatment Increases Sensitivity to Reward Devaluation in Extinction. Psychological Record, 71, 143–148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-020-00422-1

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Chabot, E., & Gibney, N. (2019). Startle, pre-pulse sensitization, and habituation in zebrafish. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 313: 54-59

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2019). Involvement of opioid receptors in nicotine-related reinforcement and pleasure. A chapter in: Neuroscience of Nicotine: Mechanisms and Treatment, (V. Preedy, Ed). Elsevier Press, Pages 277-285.

DiTommaso, T., Kirshenbaum, A.P., Parent, B. (in press). Physicians’ attitudes, concerns, and procedural understanding of Medical Aid-in-Dying in Vermont. The Dalhousie Law Journal.

Trachtman, H., Parent, B.S., Kirshenbaum, A.P., & Caplan, A., (in press). Physician’s attitudes toward living kidney donation. Progress in Transplantation.

Kirshenbaum, A. P., Suhaka, J. A., Phillips, J. L., & Voltolini de Souza Pinto, M. (2016). Nicotine enhancement and reinforcer devaluation: Interaction with opioid receptors. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 150, 1-7.

Lipatova, O., Wiener, N., Andrews, K., Kirshenbaum, A., Green, J., & Toufexis, D. (2015). 17β-estradiol replacement in ovariectomized female rats slows Set 1 dorsolateral striatial-dependent learning and enhances learning of Set 2 in an extra-dimensional set-shifting paradigm. Behavioral Neuroscience, 130(1): 44-49.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Green, J.T., Fay, M., Stone, J., Phillips, J., Parks, A., & Roy, T. (2015) Reinforcer devaluation as a consequence of acute nicotine administration and withdrawal. Psychopharmacology, 232(9):1583-94.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Jackson, E.J., Brown, S., Fuchs, J., Miltner, B., & Doughty, A. (2011). Nicotine-induced impulsive action: Sensitization and attenuation by mecamylamine. Behavioural Pharmacology, 22(3), 207-221.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Johnson, M.W., Schwarz S.L., & Jackson, E.J. (2009). Response disinhibition evoked by the administration of nicotine and nicotine-associated contextual cues. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 105, 97-108.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Brown, S., Hughes, D., & Doughty, A. (2008). DRL schedules and nicotine administration: A systematic evaluation of dose and schedule requirement. Behavioural Pharmacology, 19(7) 683-697.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Bickel, W.K., & Olsen, A. (2008). A quantitative analysis of the ubiquitous substance-abuse relapse curve. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 36(1), 8-17.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Bickel, W.K., & Boynton, D.M. (2006). Opioid withdrawal engenders risk-prone choice: A comparison of intranasal and intravenous-using populations. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 83, 130-136.

Johnson, M.W., Bickel, W.K., Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2004). Substitutes for tobacco smoking: A behavioral economic analysis of nicotine gum, denicotinized cigarettes, and nicotine-containing cigarettes. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 74, 253-264.

Recent Presentations:

Lochtenberg, J., Kirshenbaum, A.P. & Johnson, M.W. (2021) Adjunct Pharmacotherapy for Psychotherapy. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Virtual International Congress.

Geick, H., Marsh, K., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2020). Behavioral effects of nicotine in e-cigarettes do not correlate with cotinine levels. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Geick, H., Gibney, N., & Hughes, J. (2019) Novel abuse-liability assessment of e-cigarettes in young adults: A placebo-controlled trial of nicotine and video-game performance. European Brain and Behavior Society, Annual Convention, Prague, Czech Republic.

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2018). The public health consequences of e-cigarettes: What we do, and do not, know. Invited talk, delivered to the Vermont Department of Public Health and the Tobacco Control Council.

Kirshenbaum, A., DiTommaso, T. (2017). Physician’s attitudes regarding aid-in-dying in Vermont. International Congress on End-of-Life Law, Ethics, and Policy. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Toufexis, D., Shoenberg, H., & Kirshenbaum, A. (2017). Effects of estradiol and methamphetamine exposure on habit formation in rats. Society for Neurosciences, San Diego, CA.

Kirshenbaum, A., Kristofik, A., & Toufexis, D. (2017). Nicotine pretreatment increases sensitivity to extinction. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Florence, Italy.

Suhaka, J. & Kirshenbaum, A. (2016) Reinforcement enhancement and devaluation by nicotine: Interactions with opioid receptors. Association for Behavior Analysis International annual convention, Chicago, IL.

Kirshenbaum, A., Stone, J., & Phillips, J. (2014). Reinforcer devaluation during nicotine withdrawal. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Seattle, WA.

Stone, J., Parks, A., Phillips, J., Suhaka, J., Roy, T., & Kirshenbaum, A. (2014). Emergence of nicotine-induced anxiogenesis during withdrawal on the elevated plus-maze. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Boston, MA.

Phillips, J., Parks, A., Stone, J., Suhaka, J., Roy, T., & Kirshenbaum, A. (2014). Nicotine induces alterations on FR-schedule responding maintained by a visual stimulus. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.

Roy, T., Parks, A., Phillips, J., Stone, J., Suhaka, J., Kirshenbaum, A. (2014) Behavioral depression induced by nicotine: Environmental context is a strong moderator. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.

Kirshenbaum, A., Fay, M., Giglio, S., Hyland, M., & Roy, T. (2013). Conditioned inhibition and nicotine-induced amotivation. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Boston, MA.

Kirshenbaum, A., Hyland, M., Giglio, S., Roy, T., & Fay, M. (2012). Evidence for cholinergic enhancement of memory reconsolidation using a tickle-induced CPP. Society for Neurosciences, annual conference, New Orleans, LA.

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2013). Nicotine’s role in memory and amotivation: Applications to affective and tobacco-dependence disorders. Invited Talk, Psychology Dept., Graduate Bio-Behavioral Cluster Seminar, University of Vermont.

Fay, M., Giglio, S., Hyland, M., Roy, T., & Kirshenbaum, A. (2013) Nicotine-Induced amotivation: A result of conditioned inhibition? Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. New York City, NY.

Giglio, S., Fay, M., Hyland, M., Roy, T., & Kirshenbaum, A. (2013) Social hierarchy and PR performance in rats: Effects of psychomotor stimulants on motivated behavior. Eastern Psychological Association, New York City, NY.

Roy, T. Giglio, S., Fay, M., Hyland, M., & Kirshenbaum, A. (2013) Nicotine induced amotivation is related to nicotinic-acetylcholine receptor activation. Eastern Psychological Association, New York City, NY.

Longchamp, S., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2012). Exercise as a determinant of tolerance and sensitization to nicotine. American Psychological Society annual meeting, Chicago, IL.

Longchamp, S., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2011). History of reinforcement determines breakpoint on a progressive-ratio schedule. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Cambridge, MA.

Warhall, A., Longchamp, S., & Kirshenbaum A.P. (2011). Characterization of the dose-response curve: Nicotine and a PR schedule of reinforcement. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Cambridge, MA.

Autori, S., Fay, M., Linnell, M. Longchamp, S., Cronise, K., & Kirshenbaum A.P. (2011). Conditioned place preference in rats: Tickle as the unconditioned stimulus and the effects of a consolidation interval. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Cambridge, MA.

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2010). Learning theory and tobacco dependence. Invited Talk, Psychology Dept. Graduate Bio-Behavioral Cluster Seminar, University of Vermont.

Kirshenbaum, A. P., Fuchs, J., & Miltner, B. (2010). Response disinhibition evoked by cholinergic activation: Results from a tandem VI-DRL schedule and stop-signal task. Division 28, American Psychological Association, Annual Convention, San Diego, CA.

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2010). Cue-induced impulsivity: Implications for drug dependence relapse. Invited Talk, Biology Dept. Colloquia, Middlebury College.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Collins, R., Lavelle, M, Garthwait, K., Thibodeau, H., & Rabe, E. (2010). Nicotine administration and progressive-ratio schedule performance. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Brooklyn, NY.

Fuchs, J., Warhall, A., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2010). Tolerance and sensitization to d-amphetamine on the DRL17.5-s schedule. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Brooklyn, NY.

Miltner, B., Fuchs, J., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2010). Context and drug-induced response disinhibition: A comparison of nicotine and d-amphetamine. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Brooklyn, NY.

Collins, R., Lavelle, M., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2010). Hypothetical drug-induced states and delay discounting in stimulant using college students. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Brooklyn, NY.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., et al. (2010). Balancing Teaching, Research, and Service. Panel discussion, Vermont Genetics Network annual workshop, Colchester, Vermont.

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2009). Response disinhibition evoked by cholinergic activation and contextual conditioning. Vermont Genetics Network Annual Symposium, South Burlington, Vermont.

Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2009). Tolerance and sensitization on a tandem VI-DRL schedule. University of Vermont, Biobehavioral summit, Burlington, Vermont.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Schwarz, S. & Brown, S.J. (2009). Context-dependent perturbations in DRL schedule performance. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA.

Jackson, E.J., Brown, S.J., Adamo, C., & Kirshenbaum A.P. (2009). Response disinhibition induced by nicotine administration I: Stop-task performance and sensitization. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA.

Brown, S.J., Jackson, E.J., Adamo, C., Miltner, B., & Kirshenbaum A.P. (2009). Response disinhibition induced by nicotine administration II: VI-DRL performance and sensitization. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA.

Adamo, C, Fuchs, J., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2009). Manipulations of motivation engender differential DRL-schedule performance. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Brown, S.J., & Schwarz, S. (2008). Tandem VI-DRL schedule performance in response to psychostimulant administration. Division 28, American Psychological Association, Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

Schwarz, S., Brown, S.J., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2008). A comparison of reinforcer magnitude and nicotine administration manipulations on DRL-schedule performance. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting , Boston, MA.

Brown, S.J., Schwarz, S., & Kirshenbaum, A.P. (2008). The effects of chronic versus acute dosing regimens of nicotine on impulsive behaviors in rats. Eastern Psychological Association, Annual Meeting. , Boston, MA.

Kirshenbaum, A.P., Hughes, D.H., & Brown, S.J. (2007). DRL performance and nicotine administration: A systematic investigation of dose and schedule requirement. Paper presentation, International Study Group Investigating Drugs as Reinforcers, College of the Problems on Drug Dependence, Quebec City, Quebec

Murphy, M.J., Kirshenbaum, A.P., & Vanderkaay, M. (2007). Psychophysiological Measurement of Human Sexual Attraction Based on Fertility Status Detected through Odor Changes across the Female Life Span. New England Evolutionary Psychology Society annual conference.

Awards & Recognition

Grant Awards:

2020: National Science Foundation Grant, Neurocognitive and behavioral detection of THC impairment
Role: Principal Investigator

2017 National Institutes of Health: R15DA043045 
Title: An experimental evaluation of e-cigarettes in young adults
Role: Principal Investigator

2012-2013 Vermont Genetics Network, Project Grant
Title: Nicotine-induced amotivation: An animal model of tobacco withdrawal
Role: Principal Investigator

2008-2010 Vermont Genetics Network, Project Grant 
Title: Psychomotor-stimulant induced sensitization of impulsive behavior
Role: Principal Investigator

2005 Vermont Genetics Network, Pilot Grant Funding Award 
Role: Principal Investigator

STUDENT GRANTS, ADVISED

2017 VPAA student summer-stipend grant, Saint Michael’s College
Emily Chabot 
Title: Proof of concept: Startle and habituation in zebra fish

2016 Psychology Department Research Grant
Karin Parodi 
Title: Cholinergic function of habituation in zebra fish as a model of ADHD

2015 VPAA student summer-stipend grant, Saint Michael’s College
Jesse Suhaka
Title: The role of opioid receptor blockade in reinforcement enhancement and devaluation

2014 Psychology Department Research Grant
Allyson Kristofik
Title: Nicotine’s effect on habit formation

2013 Vermont Genetics Network, summer stipend
Jason Stone 
Title: Repeated nicotine administration and the elevated-plus maze

2011 VPAA student summer-stipend grant, Saint Michael’s College
Susan Longchamp 
Title: The influence of forced exercise and nicotine on PR-schedule performance in rats.

2010 Psi Chi Honors Society in Psychology
Betsie Miltner 
Title: Impulsivity measured by DRL schedules: An evaluation of tobacco withdrawal in dependent smokers

2008 Vermont Genetic Network, summer stipend
Eric Jackson 
Title: Measuring nicotine-induced impulsivity using a stop-signal task in rats

2008 Psi Chi Honors Society in Psychology
Sarah Schwarz
Title: Chronic Nicotine Administration and Context-Dependent Impulsivity

2007 Vermont Genetic Network, summer stipend
Seth J. Brown 
Title: Chronic nicotine administration in rats: Promotion of impulsive behavior or key to behavioral tolerance?

2006 Psi Chi Honors Society in Psychology
Megan J. Murphy
Title: Psychophysiological Measurement of Human Sexual Attraction Based on Fertility Status Detected through Odor Changes across the Female Life Span

2006 Vermont Genetic Network, summer stipend
David M. Hughes 
Title: The effect of nicotine on an operant test of impulsivity in rats

Interview

Life Off Campus:

I live in a small mountain town and enjoy all of the outdoor activities the Green Mountains have to offer (ski, snowshoe, hike, fish, hike, bike the country roads, hike, ski some more, etc.). I also like to cook, play mandolin, paint, build stuff out of wood and brew ale.

Recent News

Ari Kirshenbaum of the Saint Michael’s psychology faculty was a guest in September on Vermont Public, the new name for Vermont Public Radio, in an interview with host Mitch Wertlieb, exploring the ramifications of JUUL Labs settlement regarding e-cigarettes. NBC5, the Burlington-area network affiliate, later featured Ari’s app that measures the neurological effects of cannabis. For the third and final seminar in the series, “Saint Michael’s College Presents: Solutions for Social Impact,” in October, Ari’s topic was “Weed and the Wheel: How recreational drugs affect behavior and motor skills.”
(posted February 2023)

Ari Kirshenbaum, professor of psychology at Saint Michael’s College, recently brought five students to the Eastern Psychological Association’s annual convention in New York City in early March. Two students were able to present their research, while three students — Kirshenbaum’s lab assistants for his nicotine study — came to observe speakers and poster session.
(posted July 2022)

Ari Kirshenbaum of the Saint Michael’s psychology faculty and co-authors published six papers in 2021. These articles appeared in psychological, pharmacological, legal, and medical journals. The papers were on: current unjustified policing policies regarding cannabis; e-cigarette abuse potential; gender differences in meth addiction; how nicotine commandeers neurobiological circuitry involved in learning and memory; the use of novel drugs in the process of psychotherapy to enhance its effects (drugs like psychedelics); and, finally, medical-aid-in-dying policy. Earlier fall semester, he was a guest on the Burlington-area local CBS affiliate WCAX newscast to talk about his research about e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction. He also was a guest shortly after that on Waterbury radio station WDEV on the same topic.
(posted February 2022)

Ari Kirshenbaum of the psychology faculty reports two recent publications of his academic papers. Here are the citations:  Kirshenbaum, A.P., & Hughes, J.R. (in press). Reinforcement enhancement by nicotine: A novel abuse-liability assessment of E-cigarettes in young adults. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology; and, Steinberg, J., Friesen, P., Kirshenbaum, A.P. & Parent, B. (2021). Medical Aid in Dying in New York State: A Survey of Health Care Professionals to Inform Legislation. Health Law Journal, 26(2), 48-56. Also, here are citations for two recent presentations from Ari:  Lochtenberg, J., Kirshenbaum, A.P. & Johnson, M.W. (2021) Adjunct Pharmacotherapy for Psychotherapy. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Virtual International Congress. June 23; and also, Kirshenbaum, A.P., Lewis, C. Kaplan, A., & Fox, J. (2021).  Mobile app detection of THC-related cognitive impairment in heavy users. Research Society on Marijuana, Virtual Conference, July 23. Regarding the latter, Burlington-area media showed great interest this spring in Ari’s study: he’s been using a $224,000 National Science Foundation grant he received in September 2020 to develop a mobile app that measures the effects of cannabis on a user’s neurocognitive functions: things like reaction time, time perception and concentration, which are all affected by THC. The free app called “Indicator,” uses artificial intelligence for advanced data analytics.
(posted July 2021)

Ari Kirshenbaum of the psychology and neuroscience faculty was featured in the website WalletHub’s recent piece about “The Real Cost of Smoking.” In the interview with the site’s financial writer Adam McCann, Ari puts extensive charts of data in context by answering key questions readers might have, in a Q&A format: questions such as, “What are the most effective strategies for individuals trying to quit smoking?” “What approaches typically fail?,” and “Should e-cigarettes be regulated and taxed as cigarettes or as medical devices?”
(posted February 2021)

Ari Kirshenbaum of the psychology faculty early spring semester presented a Public Radio “Academic Minute” about his research concerning e-cigarettes. The Academic Minute is a two-and-a-half minute daily module carried on Public Radio stations nationwide which features researchers from colleges and universities around the world, keeping listeners abreast of what’s new and exciting in the academy. A different professor is featured each day and here’s the introduction from the Academic Minute website for the day Ari was the featured presenter: “What makes someone dependent on e-cigarettes? Ari Kirshenbaum, professor of psychology at St. Michael’s College, devised a game to find out. Dr. Ari Kirshenbaum is a professor of psychology at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, where he researches behavior influenced by recreational drugs.  His current work on human psychopharmacology of e-cigarettes is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse. Other areas of study include toxicology, bioethics, and public-health policy.”
(posted June 2020)

Ari Kirshenbaum, associate professor of psychology, reports several recent publications with his student collaborators. Here are the citations:  Kirshenbaum, A.P., Chabot, E., & Gibney, N. (in press). “Startle, pre-pulse sensitization, and habituation in zebrafish. Journal of Neuroscience Methods” DiTommaso, T., Kirshenbaum, A.P., Parent, B. (in press), “Physicians’ attitudes, concerns, and procedural understanding of Medical Aid-in-Dying in Vermont” (The Dalhousie Law Journal); Trachtman, H., Parent, B.S., Kirshenbaum, A.P., & Caplan, A., (in press). “Physician’s attitudes toward living kidney donation. Progress in Transplantation.”; Kirshenbaum, A.P. (in press). “Involvement of opioid receptors in nicotine-related reinforcement and pleasure.” (A chapter in: Neuroscience of Nicotine: Mechanisms and Treatment, (V. Preedy, Ed). Elsevier Press. This is a book chapter in an edited, invitation-only handbook. Ari also will be making a presentation at the Eastern Psychological Association (February, 2019) on “E-cigarettes and video gaming: An experimental evaluation of nicotine enhancement in young adults,” which will share preliminary results from his study utilizing a major National Institutes of Health grant (Ari Kirshenbaum, PhD, John Hughes, MD, Anthony Richardson, PhD, Emily Chabot, Hannah Geick, Nick Gibney, & Matt Mosher) Ari also was in the November 20 Burlington Free Press, which featured as the lead front-page headlined story of the issue (and jumping inside with several large photos) a piece about e-cigarette use. Other media sought his expertise on e-cigarettes too: WCAX Channel 3 Local TV news on September 14 aired a piece about rising concerns over “e-cigarettes” and their popularity among youth — something the FDA is calling an “epidemic”; and, Ari was a guest in September on Waterbury radio station WDEV’s The Dave Gram Show, a news call-in show, to talk about the same issue.
(posted January 2019)

Ari Kirshenbaum, associate professor of psychology, was on Burlington-area TV news in January explaining recent national news of interest about a new study out Tuesday on vaping which says teenagers who smoke e-cigarettes may be at a higher risk of switching to traditional smoking. Ari, as the report notes, studies e-cigarette use.
(posted June 2018)

Ari Kirshenbaum, professor of psychology, this semester learned he received a $365,865 grant from the National Institutes of Health to support his research on the abuse potential of E-cigarettes in young adults. The news attracted widespread local media attention including an extended interview on Vermont Public Radio, items on local TV news, and stories in several area newspapers.
(posted December 2017)

Ari Kirshenbaum, associate professor of psychology, recently collaborated with three students,  A. P., Suhaka, J. A., Phillips, J. L., & Voltolini de Souza Pinto, M., on a paper, “Nicotine enhancement and reinforcer devaluation: Interaction with opioid receptors,” that was published in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior. (150, 1-7, 2016). Also, one of those co-author students, Jesse Suhaka and Ari presented a paper in May on the same topic at the Association for Behavior Analysis International annual convention in Chicago, IL. The experiment behind both the paper and presentation was performed on rats to assess the degree to which opioid receptors are involved in tobacco dependence and withdrawal. Opioid receptors are the neurotransmitter receptors that, when activated, allow us to feel pleasure and avoid pain.
(posted November 2016)

Ari Kirshenbaum, associate professor of psychology and coordinator of the Krikstone Laboratory for the Behavioral Sciences and of the Pre-Pharmacy Degree, recently had a paper that he co-authored with five Saint Michael’s students, ‘Reinforcer devaluation as a product of acute nicotine exposure and nicotine withdrawal,” accepted for publication in the journal Psychopharmacology. His student co-authors are Michael Fay ’13, Angelique Parks ’14, Jessie Phillips ’14, Tessa Roy ’14 and Jason Stone ’14. Many more students are listed by name in the “acknowledgements” section of the paper, too.
(posted December 2014)