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Cynthia Moreton Kuhn

Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Duke Box 3813, Durham, NC 27710
308 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Research Interests


Animal models of adolescent substance abuse
Influence of glucocorticoid and reproductive hormones on adolescent substance abuse
Maturation of neural circuits involved in adolescent insensitivity to threat.
Biomarkers of stress in humans

Selected Grants


2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Pharmacological Sciences Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

NCCU Duke - Substance Use Research & Education (ND-SURE)

ResearchMentor · Awarded by North Carolina Central University · 2024 - 2029

Manipulating normal estrogen physiology as a therapeutic approach in cancer

ResearchCollaborating Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2023 - 2028

Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health - BIRCWH

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases · 2002 - 2027

ASPET SURF Institutional Award

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEParticipating Faculty Member · Awarded by American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2018 - 2025

Duke CTSA (TL1) Year 5

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2024

Medical Scientist Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 2022

Organization and Function of Cellular Structure

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2020

Pharmacological Sciences Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2020

Simultaneous and Bidirectional Chemogenetic Control of Mesolimbic and Nigrostriatal Circuits

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2020

Pharmacology Industry Internships for Ph.D. Students

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2017 - 2019

Duke University Program in Environmental Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2013 - 2019

IPA - David Walker

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center · 2017 - 2018

Fibroblast Growth Factor Homologous Factor Modulation and Effect on Cardiac Ion Channel Trafficking

FellowshipCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2016 - 2018

Alcohol, Puberty, and Adolescent Brain Development

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2011 - 2017

Depression & CHD: Cellular-Molecular Mechanisms

Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2009 - 2017

A Neuroscience-Based Health Curriculum to Promote Academic Success

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Department of Education · 2012 - 2016

Gender Differences in Stimulant Action

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1998 - 2013

Responses of Myocardial Ischemia to Sertraline Treatment

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2006 - 2013

Nasal adjuvant to enhance anti-cocaine vaccines

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2011 - 2013

Serotonergic Contribution to Adolescent Risk Taking

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2011 - 2012

Role of HPA Axis in Adolescent Vulnerability to Drug Addiction

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2006 - 2011

Stress and Behavior in Health and Disease

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1989 - 2011

Developmental THC Sensitivity in Male and Female Rats

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2004 - 2011

Ethanol and GABA Function: Developmental Sensitivity

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2005 - 2010

Dopamine Function During Adolescence

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2004 - 2010

PTSD & Childhood Sexual Abuse: Psychobiology

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2002 - 2009

Maternal MDMA (Ectasy) Exposure & Fetal Physiology

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2005 - 2009

IPA - David Walker

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Veterans Administration Medical Center · 2007 - 2008

Adolescent Vulnerability to Neuroplastic Changes Induced by High Dose Cocaine.

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2007 - 2008

Duke PREP: Minority Recruitment into Biomedical Sciences

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEAdvisor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2003 - 2008

Child Neglect: Psychobiological Consequences

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2000 - 2007

GHB Tolerance and Dependence

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2003 - 2007

Stress, Serotonin Genes & Health Disparities

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Science · 2000 - 2006

Graduate Training Program in Pharmacological Sciences.

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2005

Behavioral Neuroscience

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2001 - 2005

Estrogen Inhibits Noradrenergic Function through ER Beta

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2001 - 2003

Early Experience, Serotonin and Adult Function

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2000 - 2002

Hostility & Chd--Sns Lipid & Cell Molecular Mechanisms

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 2002

Graduate Training Program in Pharmacological Sciences

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2000

Hostility & Chd: Sns, Lipid, & Cell-Molecular Mechanisms

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 1999

Graduate Training In Pharmacological Sciences

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 1999

Drugs: Integrating High School Biology And Chemistry

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 1999

Opiate Effects On Maturation Of Endocrine Regulation

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 1999

Graduate Training In Pharmacological Research

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1995 - 1999

Gender Differences In Stimulant Sensitization

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1997 - 1998

Gender Differences In Stiumlant Sensitization

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1995 - 1998

Opiate Effects On Maturation Of Endocrine Regluation

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1996 - 1997

Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1993 - 1997

Biobehavioral Factors In Coronary Heart Disease

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1994 - 1996

Biobehaviorial Factors In Coronary Heart Disease

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1993 - 1996

Preclinical Sciences Center For Cocaine Treatment

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1992 - 1994

Genetics Of A Murine Model Of Type 2 Diabetes

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1993 - 1994

Integration Of Stress Response In Ontogeny--Role Of Crf

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1991 - 1993

Integration Of Stress Response In Ontogeny: Role Of Crf

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1990 - 1992

Opioid Effects On Maturation Of Endocrine Regulation

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1986 - 1988

Nutrition And Adrenergic Receptor Mechanisms In Ontog

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1984 - 1985

Nutrition And Adrenergic Receptor Mechanisms In Ontog

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1984 - 1985

External Relationships


  • CranialInc
  • US Patent Office
  • US Patent Office
  • Veteran's Administration
  • WW Norton

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.