Stephen W. Kiefer, Ph.D.
Research Interests
Our laboratory is currently involved in alcohol research using rodent models (rats and mice). Specifically, we are interested in the taste of alcohol as we believe that taste is an important factor in determining ultimate use (and abuse) of this drug. Given that alcohol is normally only introduced to the body through oral consumption, taste would occupy a pivotal role in decisions about accepting or rejecting this substance. Our most current project examines the role of the opiate system in modulating the taste of alcohol. We have shown conclusively that antagonism of the opiate system via a drug (naltrexone) renders the taste of alcohol solutions more aversive - rats find the taste to be relatively unpalatable. Additionally, naltrexone decreases alcohol consumption during restricted access tests. Obviously, a drug that can make alcohol taste bad has the potential as a deterrent for alcohol consumption. Our future plans include an examination of specific brain regions where endogenous opiates produce their effects on alcohol taste and consumption.
Representative Publications/Presentations
Hill, K. G., & Kiefer, S. W. (1997). Naltrexone treatment increases the aversiveness of alcohol solutions for outbred rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 21, 637-641.
Kiefer, S. W., Hill, K. G., & Kaczmarek, H. J. (1998). Taste reactivity to alcohol and basic tastes in outbred mice. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 22, 1146-1151.
Badia-Elder, N.B., & Kiefer, S. W. (1999). Taste reactivity in alcohol-preferring AA and alcohol-avoiding ANA rats. Alcohol, 18, 159-163.
Kaczmarek, H. J., & Kiefer, S. W. (2000). Microinjections of dopaminergic agents in the nucleus accumbens affect ethanol consumption but not palatability. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, & Behavior, 66, 307-312.
Coonfield, D.L., Hill, K.G., Kaczmarek, H.J., Ferraro, F.M. III, & Kiefer, S.W. (2002). Low doses of naltrexone reduce palatability and consumption of ethanol in outbred male rats. Alcohol, 26 , 43-47.
Ferraro, F.M. III, Hill, K.G., Kaczmarek, H.J., Coonfield, D.L., & Kiefer, S.W. (2002). Naltrexone modifies the palatability of basic tastes and alcohol in outbred male rats. Alcohol, 27 , 107-114.
Coonfield, D.L., Kiefer, S.W., Ferraro, F.M. III, & Sinclair, J.D. (in press). Ethanol palatability and consumption by high ehtanol-drinking rats: Manipulation of the opiod system with naltrexone. Behavioral Neuroscience.
Student Involvement
Graduate
Graduate students working in my laboratory are involved in all aspects of the research process, from writing grants to running experiments to writing journal articles (all co-authors on the above publications are current or former graduate students). For incoming students, basic knowledge in the natural sciences is extremely helpful as is experience working with animals. Although motivation is very important, ultimately the most successful graduate students in my lab acquire a broad, solid knowledge base of both psychological and neurobiological material.
Current Graduate Students
Gerald Deehan, B.A. Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, is currently working on his M.S. proposal.
Amanda Higley, B.A. Jamestown College, is currently working on her M.S. proposal.
Undergraduates
There are frequent opportunities for undergraduate students to work in our laboratory. The primary responsibilities tend to be with the daily tasks of maintenance and conducting behavioral tests. Occasionally, undergraduates will be involved in the more conceptual aspects of the research. As with graduate students, undergraduates should have a background in the natural sciences and a motivation to engage in animal research.
Funding Opportunities
In general, graduate students are funded through federal grants when that money is available. Some graduate students have received departmental graduate teaching assistantships while others have been funded through a variety of internal sources. Undergraduate students typically work in the lab for academic credit but there have been instances when they were paid an hourly wage for their involvement.
Personal Information
I am married to Nancy F. Kiefer, an academic advisor in the Dean’s Office, College of Arts & Sciences. We'll celebrate our 36th anniversary this year. We have two sons: Zachary (21) who graduated cum laude from the Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business with majors in Finance and Legal Studies (in addition to a Spanish minor); Brian (19) who is a freshman at the University of Oregon in Anthropology. The newest member of the family is Farfel, a Spaniel mix (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel: a Cockalier!). If I have free time, I will more than likely spend it fishing.
