Dr. Anthony Phillips

Dr. A.G. Phillips has made major contributions to behavioral neurobiology and, in particular, to understanding the neural mechanisms of learning and memory and of motivation. Using neurotoxins to damage dopamine neurons and antagonist drugs to block them, Dr. Phillips has shown that brain dopamine has a major role in mediating reward and in the acquisition of new patterns of motor activity as well as the initiation of species-specific adaptive behaviors. His findings are relevant in elucidating the mechanisms of drug addiction and the therapeutic effects of antipsychotic drugs. Dr. Phillips' research achievements have been recognized by awards of the E.W.R. Steacie Fellowship (NSERC) and of a Killam Senior Research Scholarship (Canada Council).