Dr. Izquierdo's main research interests center on understanding the brain mechanisms of flexible reinforcement learning and value-based decisions. Specifically, this involves exploring the impact of costs and determining the relative value of options. To that end, her lab studies these processes using a combination of behavioral, molecular, pharmacological, computational, and in vivo imaging and recording methods. More recently her lab has investigated the neurobiological basis for the role of uncertainty, risk, and reinforcement history on learning and choice. A better understanding of the basic neural mechanisms in reinforcement learning and choice behavior may contribute to our knowledge of behavioral and substance addictions, in particular.

Key Research Areas:

Reward learning, flexible learning, value-based decision making, learning under uncertainty, chemogenetics, in vivo recording and imaging