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Paul J Kenny, PhD
img_Paul J Kenny
PROFESSOR & CHAIR | Neuroscience
DIRECTOR, DRUG DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
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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

162
Publications

Selected Publications

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

Generative artificial intelligence-enabled dynamic detection of rat nicotine-related circuits. Changwei Gong, Changhong Jing, Xin An Liu, Victoria X. Wang, Cheuk Ying Tang, Paul J. Kenny, Ye Li, Zuxin Chen, Shuqiang Wang. Neural Computing and Applications

Hypothalamic CRF neurons facilitate brain reward function. Xinli Xu, Shuidiao Zheng, Jiayan Ren, Zixuan Li, Jinyan Li, Zhibin Xu, Feng Yuan, Qixing Yang, Alexander V. Margetts, Tate A. Pollock, Samara J. Vilca, Canyu Yang, Gaowei Chen, Peilei Shen, Shupeng Li, Jianxun Xia, Chuyun Chen, Tao Zhou, Yingjie Zhu, Luis M. Tuesta, Liping Wang, Paul J. Kenny, Xin an Liu, Zuxin Chen. Current Biology

View All Publications

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

Hess CSM Building Floor 9 Room 116

1470 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

Hess CSM Building Floor 9th Floor Room Room 116

1470 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

212-824-8968

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 2023 and/or 2024. 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.