My research focuses broadly on identifying neurobiological factors underlying sex differences in risk for alcohol and drug abuse. As findings from both animal and human studies suggest that females may actually be more vulnerable to drug use than males, it is critical to identify risk factors that are specific to women. My current research combines behavioral, hormonal, and neuroimaging techniques to investigate sex differences in acute responses to alcohol and other drugs. Ultimately, it is my hope that this line of research will allow for the identification of sex-specific risk factors, and the development of sex-specific prevention and treatment efforts, for alcohol and drug addiction.