Jennifer F. Buckman, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor

Office – Room CAS 225B
Tel: (732) 445-0793
Fax: (732) 445-3500
Email: jbuckman@rutgers.edu
Current Research
Primary area of interest:
Exploring the genetic basis of drinking behaviors using cutting-edge statistical strategies
This project seeks to advance discovery of genes that underlie addiction vulnerability with novel statistical methods that can overcome limitations of small sample size, sample heterogeneity, and the small effect sizes frequently associated with genetic analysis of complex phenotypes. Our goal is to capture neurogenetic influences on physiological phenotypes proximal to the endpoint of alcoholism. Specifically, we are interested in a set of inter- and intrapersonal factors that underlie individual differences in alcohol use behaviors and that are highly heterogeneous, modulated by neurobiological processes, and at least partly of genetic origin using nontraditional statistical approaches. The proposed project involves collecting genomic DNA from young adults who span the continuum of substance use behaviors. Associations of genes that regulate inhibitory brain functions to emotional arousal and alcohol intoxication will be explored. Understanding of the genetic basis of alcohol use behaviors will aid in the development of a more nuanced perspective of “addiction subtypes” that can be used to tailor addiction treatments to individual subtypes, better predict prognosis for recovery, develop more targeted pharmacotherapies, and ultimately build a more nuanced perspective on how internal and external influences impart risk for, or protection from, the development and persistence problematic alcohol and drug use behaviors.
Collaborations
A multilevel examination of alcohol- and drug-related vulnerability (Dr. Marsha Bates)
  • Secondary data analysis of neurocognitive functioning in samples of individuals with alcohol and other drug use disorders: how impairment can influence mechanisms of behavior change (Bates et al., 2004, 2005, 2006; Buckman, Bates & Cisler, 2007, Buckman, Bates & Morgenstern, in press).
  • Correlation of brain structure volumes with neuropsychological abilities (Voelbel et al., 2006) and family history of alcoholism (Buckman et al., in review) in children with autism spectrum and bipolar disorders.
  • Physiological reactivity and psychosocial traits of college students mandated for alcohol interventions (Buckman, White & Bates, in preparation).
Collegiate Athlete and Substance Use: Developing a Prevention Program Study (Drs. Helene White and Robert Pandina)
  • Differences in alcohol and drug use between college student athletes and non-athletes (Yusko et al., 2008).
  • Risk for excessive alcohol use and drinking-related problems in college student athletes (Yusko et al., 2008)
  • Risk profiles of student athletes who use banned performance enhancing drugs (Buckman et al., in revision).
Representative Publications

Buckman JF, Yusko DA, White HR, Pandina RJ (2009) Risk profile of college athletes who use banned performance enhancing substances. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Buckman JF, Bates ME, Morgenstern J (2008) Social support and cognitive impairment in clients receiving treatment for alcohol- and drug-use disorders: A replication study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 69(5): 738-746. PMID: 18781249.

Yusko DA, Buckman JF, White HR, Pandina RJ (2008) Alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and performance enhancers: a comparison of use by college student athletes and nonathletes. Journal of American College Health 57(3): 281-290. PMID: 18980883.

Yusko DA, Buckman JF, White HR, Pandina RJ (2008) Risk for excessive alcohol use and drinking-related problems in college student athletes. Addictive Behaviors 33: 1546-1556. PMID: 18752900.

Buckman JF, Bates ME, Cisler R (2007). Social networks and their influence on drinking behaviors: Differences related to cognitive impairment in clients receiving alcoholism treatment. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 68(5): 738-747. PMID: 17690808.

Bates ME, Pawlak A, Tonigan JS, Buckman JF (2006) Cognitive impairment influences drinking outcome by altering therapeutic mechanisms of change. Psychology of Addictive Behavior 20(3): 241-253. PMID: 16938062.

Voelbel GT, Bates ME, Buckman JF, Pandina G, Hendren RL (2006) Caudate nucleus volume and cognitive performance: Are they related in childhood psychopathology? Biological Psychiatry 60:942-950. PMID: 16950212.

Bates ME, Barry D, Labouvie EW, Fals-Stewart W, Voelbel G, Buckman JF (2004) Risk factors and neuropsychological recovery in clients with alcohol use disorders exposed to different treatments. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology 72(6): 1073–1080. PMID: 15612853.

Buckman JF, Reynolds IJ (2001) Spontaneous changes in mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured neurons. Journal of Neuroscience 21(14): 5054-5065. PMID: 11438581.

Buckman JF, Meshul CK, Finn DA, Janowsky A (1999) Glutamate uptake in mice bred for ethanol withdrawal severity. Psychopharmacology 143(2): 174-182. PMID: 10326780.

Meshul CK, Emre N, Nakamura CM, Allen C, Donohue MK, Buckman JF (1999) Time-dependent changes in striatal glutamate synapses following a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion. Neuroscience 88: 1-16. PMID: 10051185.

Buckman JF, Meshul CK (1997) Immunocytochemical analysis of glutamate and GABA in selectively bred mice. Brain Research 760(1-2): 193-203. PMID: 9237535.

Dr. Buckman is involved in several lines of research focused on understanding how psychosocial, physiological, and neurobiological factors impart risk for, or protection from, problematic alcohol use behaviors. Her main career goal is to develop a transdisciplinary research program that draws from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, genetics and statistics to develop addiction profiles that take into account the multiple combinations of personal and environmental factors that can act in concert to fuel the path from initiation to uncontrolled/problematic alcohol use.
Professional Service
2006 – Present Treasurer, Division 50, American Psychological Association
2005 – present Budget Committee Member, Division 50, American Psychological Association
Education
  M.B.A. Rutgers University Business 2006
  Post-Doctoral Fellow University of Pittsburgh Pharmacology 2001
  Ph.D. Oregon Health & Sciences University Behavioral Neuroscience 1998
  M.S. Oregon Health & Sciences University Behavioral Neuroscience 1996
Grants
  “Exploring genetic influences on alcohol use using novel statistical methods” (PI: J. Buckman) K01 AA017473, Period: 7/01/2009 - 6/30/2014.
  “A Legacy of Learning in Alcohol Research: 115th, 116th and 117th Convention of the American Psychological Association” (PI: J. Buckman) R13 AA017107, Period: 6/1/2007-5/30/2010.