Michael Baumann

Biography

Michael H. Baumann received his Ph.D. in Physiology and Neurobiology from Rutgers University in 1991. His dissertation research examined the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in regulating pituitary hormone secretion. Mike joined the NIDA IRP in 1991 as a Staff Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Richard B. Rothman. From 1991-2011, Mike and his colleagues elucidated the critical role of brain dopamine and serotonin in the mechanism of action for various therapeutic and abused stimulant drugs. While working with Dr. Rothman, Mike was promoted to Senior Staff Fellow, Research Biologist, and finally to his current position as Staff Scientist. He joined the laboratory of Dr. Newman in 2012 and established the Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU). The main goals of the DDRU are to collect, analyze and disseminate current information about the pharmacology and toxicology of newly-emerging synthetic drugs of abuse (i.e., designer drugs). Working with partner organizations such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG), Mike is kept informed about recent trends in designer drug use. Most recently, his laboratory has determined the molecular mechanism of action for several so-called “bath salts” cathinones.

Research Interest

Michael H. Baumann, PhD, is a Staff Scientist and Facility Head at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Baumann joined NIDA in 1991 as a Staff Fellow in the laboratory of Richard B. Rothman, MD, PhD. For more than twenty years, Drs. Baumann and Rothman examined the role of brain dopamine and serotonin systems in mediating the effects of therapeutic and abused stimulant drugs. In 2012, Dr. Baumann joined the laboratory of Amy H. Newman, PhD, where he established the Designer Drug Research Unit (DDRU). The main goal of the DDRU is to collect, analyze and disseminate the most up-to-date information about the pharmacology and toxicology of newly-emerging designer drugs of abuse, more formally known as new psychoactive substances (NPS). Working with partner organizations such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Dr. Baumann is kept informed about recent trends in the abuse of NPS. Most recently, his research team has characterized the molecular mechanism of action and biological effects for many of the so-called “bath salts” cathinones and their replacement analogs. DDRU scientists are now investigating the pharmacology of various NPS including synthetic cannabinoids, hallucinogens and opioids.