Akademiliv congratulates Lars Westberg, newly appointed professor of pharmacology. He researches neuronal mechanisms involved in social interactions, and his group investigates, among other things, how the neuropeptide oxytocin influences social behavior in different ways. Their genetic studies indicate that oxytocin in humans, in a similar way to other animals, regulates attachment between individuals, aggressiveness, and the ability to recognize other individuals and their emotions. The research team is also studying the behavior and brain function of zebrafish with mutations in risk genes for autism. Lars teaches pharmacology on several educational programs and was recently appointed responsible for the teaching of pharmacology for nurses.
