Paul J Kenny, PhD
img_Paul J Kenny
PROFESSOR & CHAIR | Neuroscience
DIRECTOR, DRUG DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
Research Topics
Addiction, Behavior, Brain, Drug Design and Discovery, Epigenetics, Gene Expressions, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Obesity, Schizophrenia
Multi-Disciplinary Training Area
Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutics (DMT), Genetics and Genomic Sciences [GGS]
The Kenny Laboratory is focused on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of drug addiction, obesity and schizophrenia, with an emphasis on the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in these processes. They employ a multidisciplinary approach that includes complex behavioral paradigms, physiological analyses and molecular biological techniques. Current projects include the utilization of vector-based delivery systems to modify gene expression in the brains of rodents to identify novel signaling cascades that may play a role in addiction-like behaviors. Search PubMed for articles

BA, Trinity College Dublin

PhD, University of London

2020

Annual Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease

Ochsner Health

2018

Daniel H. Efron Research Award

American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)

2015

Tom Connor Distinguished Investigator Award

Neuroscience Ireland

2012

Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award in the Neurosciences

Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences

2010

Jacob P. Waletzky Memorial Award

Society for Neuroscience

Publications

Selected Publications

The single-cell opioid responses in the context of HIV (SCORCH) consortium. Seth A. Ament, Rianne R. Campbell, Mary Kay Lobo, Joseph P. Receveur, Kriti Agrawal, Alejandra Borjabad, Siddappa N. Byrareddy, Linda Chang, Declan Clarke, Prashant Emani, Dana Gabuzda, Kyle J. Gaulton, Michelle Giglio, Federico M. Giorgi, Busra Gok, Chittibabu Guda, Eran Hadas, Brian R. Herb, Wen Hu, Anita Huttner, Mohammad R. Ishmam, Michelle M. Jacobs, Jennifer Kelschenbach, Dong Wook Kim, Cheyu Lee, Shuhui Liu, Xiaokun Liu, Bertha K. Madras, Anup A. Mahurkar, Deborah C. Mash, Eran A. Mukamel, Meng Niu, Richard M. O’Connor, Chelsea M. Pagan, Alina P.S. Pang, Piya Pillai, Vez Repunte-Canonigo, W. Brad Ruzicka, Jay Stanley, Timothy Tickle, Shang Yi A. Tsai, Allen Wang, Lauren Wills, Alyssa M. Wilson, Susan N. Wright, Siwei Xu, Junchen Yang, Maryam Zand, Le Zhang, Jing Zhang, Schahram Akbarian, Shilpa Buch, Christine S. Cheng, Michael J. Corley, Howard S. Fox, Mark Gerstein, Suryaram Gummuluru, Myriam Heiman, Ya Chi Ho, Manolis Kellis, Paul J. Kenny, Yuval Kluger, Teresa A. Milner, David J. Moore, Susan Morgello, Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu, Tariq M. Rana, Pietro Paolo Sanna, John S. Satterlee, Nenad Sestan, Stephen A. Spector, Serena Spudich, Hagen U. Tilgner, David J. Volsky, Owen R. White, Dionne W. Williams, Hongkui Zeng. Molecular Psychiatry

Precise 3D Localization of Intracerebral Implants Using a Simple Brain Clearing Method. Julien Catanese, Tatsuya C. Murakami, Adam Catto, Paul J. Kenny, Ines Ibañez-Tallon. Journal of Integrative Neuroscience

A master regulator of opioid reward in the ventral prefrontal cortex. Alexander C.W. Smith, Soham Ghoshal, Samuel W. Centanni, Mary P. Heyer, Alberto Corona, Lauren Wills, Emma Andraka, Ye Lei, Richard M. O'Connor, Stephanie P.B. Caligiuri, Sohail Khan, Kristin Beaumont, Robert P. Sebra, Brigitte L. Kieffer, Danny G. Winder, Masago Ishikawa, Paul J. Kenny. Science

View All Publications

FBI Cyber Series - Nicotine Addiction: Unexpected Cells, Circuits, and Sicknesses by Paul Kenny, PhD
Paul Kenny, PhD, Director, Drug Discovery Institute

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Kenny during 2024 and/or 2025. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.

Consulting or Other Professional Services Examples include, but are not limited to, committee participation, data safety monitoring board (DSMB) membership

  • Exavir

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.