Carl Hart, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology from the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Columbia University will present the lecture "Challenging Assumptions About Drugs" this Wednesday, February 11 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at WPIC Auditorium.Carl Hart is a highly regarded neuro-psychopharmacologist whose research focuses on human laboratory studies of abused drugs, and increasing our understanding of the complex interactions between drugs of abuse and the neurobiology and environmental factors that mediate human behavior and physiology.  Dr. Hart has investigated potential addiction pharmacotherapies by evaluating their effect on subjective effects of drugs, and actual choice for drugs vs non-drug reinforcers in a controlled environment. His work also includes investigations of the cognitive consequences of both acute and chronic use of cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis, as well as the cognitive consequences of simulated shift work and how sleep schedule changes impact amphetamine self-administration in the laboratory.  His recently published book, High Price, has been featured in the New York Times and presents a unique perspective on how consequences of drug use compare with the consequences of the illegality of drugs. Dr. Hart speaks cogently to this issue from the viewpoint of an African American whose community has been disproportionately impacted by drug illegality.  He challenges some of the common assumptions and oversights in the complex area of drug use, addiction, and how our society deals with these issues.Dr. Hart is visiting the University of Pittsburgh as the External Examiner for Alexandra Bonner's Honors College Bachelor of Philosophy thesis defense. Jointly sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Honors College Department of Psychiatry, and Center on Race and Social Problems.Please contact Jeanie Knox Houtsinger at knoxjv@upmc.edu with questions regarding this lecture.