Sean O'Connor, M.D.

An Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. O'Connor divides his time between research, clinical care and teaching. His research focuses on the genetic determinants of the human brain's adaptive response to alcohol. He directs three laboratories where subjective perceptions, neuropsychologic tests, eye-movements and EEG are used to characterize the ways people who are more vulnerable to future alcoholism respond differently to alcohol when compared to controls.

As Chief of the Substance Abuse Treatment Section, Dr. O'Connor delivers care to more than 1200 Veterans each year, with six programs tailored to the needs of people addicted to alcohol, cocaine, opiates, benzodiazepines, cannabis and nicotines, and to people who are also suffering from another psychiatric illness.

Dr. O'Connor regularly teaches about substance abuse to undergraduate medical students, Residents and Fellows, and has presented research findings in a wide variety of local, national and international settings.