Jessi Cucinello-Ragland, PhD

Jessi is an NRSA-funded postdoctoral research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Jose Moron-Concepcion. Born and raised just outside of New Orleans, LA, their interest in science began during their time as an undergraduate at the University of Mississippi. While working in a preclinical psychopharmacology lab, they developed an early interest in refining and developing animal models for studying co-morbid pain and substance use disorders. This interest blossomed into a passion for pain and addiction neuroscience that they continued to pursue during their graduate training at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Their graduate work identified sex-specific contributions of the endogenous cannabinoid system in mediating the anti-nociceptive, or pain-relieving, effects of alcohol. Jessi’s current research is furthering this line of investigation by investigating neural substrates underlying pain-opioid interactions, with an emphasis on concurrent opioid and alcohol use. 

Outside of the lab, Jessi enjoys spending time with their loved ones, chasing around their rambunctious toddler, and cooking, baking, and eating as much delicious food as they can. As a New Orleans-native, food is their passion, and while at WashU, Jessi’s goal is to find the best food St. Louis has to offer.