Dr. Newman received her PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, where she designed, synthesized and behaviorally evaluated novel analogues of amphetamine.  She did her post-doctoral training with Dr. Kenner Rice at NIDDK, extending her experience with opiate total synthesis, development of the PET ligand (+)-[18F]cyclofoxy, as well as novel peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor ligands.  After a short tenure at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, she initiated a Medicinal Chemistry Program at the NIDA-Intramural Research Program. She has focused her research efforts on the design and synthesis of novel molecular tools to elucidate drug-receptor interactions in the brain that ultimately affect behavior. Dr. Newman is currently studying the roles of the dopamine and serotonin transport systems, the dopamine D2 receptor family (D2/D3) and mGluR5, in addiction, with the aim of developing medications for treatment.