Victoria Macht

I am an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where I lead a research program investigating the molecular mechanisms through which developmental experiences produce persistent changes in hippocampal circuitry and related cognitive function. I earned my B.S. in Psychology from Furman University and my Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina, where I studied the neurobiological consequences of pharmacological and environmental stressors, including models of fetal alcohol exposure and Gulf War Illness. I completed my postdoctoral training at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where my research focused on how adolescent binge alcohol exposure persistently remodels hippocampal circuits through innate immune signaling. My path into neuroscience has been collectivley shaped by a passion for understanding how the brain adapts—or fails to adapt—when challenged by stressors such as alcohol, early-life adversity, or immune activation across the lifespan.

At UNCW, I work closely with undergraduates and graduate students on projects exploring the intersections of the immune system, hippocampal circuitry, and behavior in rodent models of disease and brain dysfunction. Mentoring is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I strive to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and technical skills that empower students to pursue their own scientific questions and career goals, while providing opportunities for hands-on research experiences.

Education

Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina.
M.A. in Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina.
B.S. in Psychology, Furman University.

Specialization in Teaching

My teaching philosophy emphasizes developing a deep understanding of the biological principles that underlie brain and behavior. While learning neuroscience requires mastering foundational knowledge, I believe that understanding how neural systems function is more valuable than memorizing isolated facts. By exploring mechanisms in depth, students gain a framework for applying those principles to new questions and emerging discoveries.

My courses emphasize critical thinking, primary scientific literature, and the integration of concepts across levels of biological organization. Rather than treating the brain and body as separate systems, I encourage students to view behavior as an emergent property of dynamic interactions among neural, immune, endocrine, and physiological processes. Through discussion of experimental design, data interpretation, and current research, students learn not only what we know about the nervous system, but also how that knowledge is generated and how scientific ideas continue to evolve.

Research Interests

My lab investigates how experiences across the lifespan reshape hippocampal circuitry and produce persistent changes in learning, memory, and cognitive flexibility. We are particularly interested in identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine whether the brain adapts to environmental challenges or undergoes lasting pathological remodeling. Using transgenic mouse models, viral-mediated circuit manipulations, quantitative neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, and behavioral neuroscience, we examine how developmental experiences alter the maturation and function of hippocampal circuits and identify the mechanisms that drive long-term changes in brain function.

Adolescent alcohol exposure is a major focus of our research because it provides a powerful model for understanding how developmental experiences become biologically embedded within hippocampal circuits. We investigate the neuroimmune, cholinergic, and neurogenic mechanisms through which adolescent alcohol exposure produces persistent changes in hippocampal structure, function, and behavior. Complementing these disease-focused studies, our laboratory uses targeted molecular and circuit manipulations to define the normal biological functions of pathways disrupted by alcohol exposure, including HMGB1 signaling and basal forebrain cholinergic regulation. By integrating mechanistic studies with disease models, we seek to distinguish molecular changes that merely accompany pathology from those that directly drive hippocampal remodeling and cognitive dysfunction.

Professional Service

1. Guest Editor, Physiology & Behavior Special Issue: Effects of Alcohol on the Brain and Behavior Across the Lifespan (2025–present)
2. Editorial Board Member, Physiology & Behavior (2021–present)
3. Review Editor, Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021–present)

Honors & Awards

1. NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2022–2027)
2. Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (T32), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2018–2021)
3. University of South Carolina Breakthrough Graduate Scholar (2018)
4. Princeton Stress Workshop Travel Award (2017)
5. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group Merit Award (2015)
6. Support to Promote Advancement of Research and Creativity (SPARC) Research Award, University of South Carolina (2015–2016)
7. Furman Advantage Research Award (2008, 2009)