Hannah Harder
PhD Postdoctoral Fellow
My work as a postdoctoral fellow in the Moron-Concepcion laboratory is focused on the intersection of pain and opioid use, particularly during pregnancy. Previous studies have implicated opioid use during pregnancy in a variety of negative outcomes for the offspring, but it is unclear whether these same consequences occur when opioids are used for pain relief. In my research, I use animal models to explore the effects of maternal pain and opioid use on the offspring’s behavior in adulthood, including opioid seeking and pain sensitivity. The ultimate goal of this project is to highlight potential addiction risk in children exposed to opioids in utero and to identify potential therapeutic targets to mitigate that risk.
During my PhD, I investigated the effects of maternal opioid use on immune function in their offspring. I completed this project in the laboratory of Dr. Anne Murphy at Georgia State University.
Outside of the laboratory, I enjoy crafting, cooking, and exploring St. Louis.