College of Humanities and Sciences

Aliza Ehrlich, PhD, is a neuroscientist and cell biologist whose research focuses on how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are trafficked and signal within neurons. Her work examines how dopamine, opioid, and other neuromodulatory receptors are organized within specialized cellular compartments, including the primary cilium, to regulate neuronal signaling and behavior. She has developed innovative imaging and molecular approaches to study compartmentalized GPCR signaling and its role in striatal circuits. Her laboratory at VCU will investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying neuromodulation and circuit function.

Q&A with Aliza Ehrlich

Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?

I grew up in South Florida. I went to the University of Central Florida for my bachelor’s in psychology; I was a post-bac research assistant at Johns Hopkins University pursuing neuroscience research training; I attended Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan, for my master’s and Ph.D. in life sciences before completing postdoctoral training at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology in Strasbourg, France, and at McGill University in Montreal. 

More recently, I became an adjunct assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco in the department of psychiatry after being awarded an National Institute of Mental Health K01 career development award. I'm excited to be joining SLSS as a tenure-track assistant professor.

When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?

I fell in love with science in my physiological psychiatry and human physiology undergraduate courses at UCF. I became curious about how our cells contribute to complex behavior and emotion. I wanted to work in academia because it allows me to teach others to discover their curiosity about science and because in academic research you have the freedom to study topics that interest you and make a positive impact on human health.

Can you explain the focus of your research?

My research is focused on understanding how the brain interprets chemical signals and how those signals produce specific cellular responses. For example, when we want to achieve a goal or enjoy something like eating ice cream, dopamine can signal motivation and reward, but dopamine signaling is also important for movement and coordinating our actions. How can the same chemical signal produce such different and complex responses? My research asks whether the local cellular environment where neuromodulatory receptors, such as dopamine and opioid receptors, receive these signals helps determine how cells respond. To address this question, I focus on a specialized cellular structure called the primary cilium, which may provide a distinct environment for neuromodulatory signaling.

What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?

I am most excited about the fantastic students and faculty at VCU. The university attracts outstanding students and faculty, creating a diverse, collaborative environment in which to teach, learn, and conduct research. 

In particular, SLSS is home to exceptional faculty with impressive academic and research accomplishments, and I am excited to become part of this community. I am also really looking forward to moving to Richmond — a wonderful city with great entertainment, incredible food (including Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches!), and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors along the James River and throughout the city. RVA is simply beautiful, and I am excited to call it home.

Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?

In my spare time, I love spending time with my husband and our two boys, riding bikes together, playing outside, and exploring the outdoors. I also love an early morning run, as well as cooking and baking. 

Fun fact: I once ran a 30K race on literally the coldest day of the year in Canada — the temperature was minus 36 degrees Celsius, which is almost the same as minus 33 degrees Fahrenheit!