UTEP Faculty Profiles

Main Content

Travis M. Moschak

Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences

Office Building: Bioscience Research Building
Office Room: 2.170
Phone:
Email: tmmoschak@utep.edu

Expertise: See Research Profile in Expertise Connector

Bio

No info available.

Education

Ph D in Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University (2014)

Publications

Distinct populations suppress or escalate intake of cocaine paired with aversive quinine Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2024), Rosalie Powers, Peter Fogel, Jayson Reeves, Pamela Madrid, Travis M. Moschak.
RECORD, a high-throughput, customizable system that unveils behavioral strategies leveraged by rodents during foraging-like decision-making Communications Biology (2024), Raquel Ibanez-Alcala, Travis M. Moschak, Alexander Friedman.
Prelimbic Cortex Activity during a Distress Tolerance Task Predicts Cocaine-Seeking Behavior in Male, But Not Female Rats Journal of Neuroscience (2023), Travis M. Moschak, T J. Sloand, Regina M. Carelli.
An opposing role for prelimbic cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens core in incubation of craving for cocaine versus water Drug and Alcohol Dependence 228 (2021), Travis M. Moschak, Regina M. Carelli.

Presentations

Investigating the Relationship Between the Salience Network and Multiple Test of Drug Motivation (2024), Volume Chicago, Nydia De Avila, Suhani Patel, Marina Smoak, Travis M. Moschak.
Optogenetic manipulation of INS-PrL connectivity: effects on cocaine self-administration and behavioral endophenotypes in male Long Evans rats (2024), Volume Chicago, Ricardo Sosa, Travis M. Moschak.
Punished versus effortful self-administration of cocaine using various concentrations of histamine & reinforcement schedules. (2024), Volume Chicago, Peter Fogel, Travis M. Moschak.
The role of the insula to medial prefrontal pathway in distress tolerance, cocaine self-administration, impulsivity, and anxiety-like behaviors. (2024), Volume Chicago, Marina Smoak, Nydia De Avila, Angelica Romero, Travis M. Moschak.
Interactions between the prelimbic cortex and anterior insula in behavioral predictors of addiction vulnerability. (2024), Volume Panama City, Panama, Travis M. Moschak.
Exploring Shifts in Value of a Drug-Paired Aversive Cue through Taste Reactivity Analysis (2024), Volume Panama City, Panama, Peter Fogel, Pamela Madrid, Jayson Reeves, Kimberly Turner, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Anxiety, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking behavioral models that predict drug- and water-seeking behavior (2024), Mariana Meza, Travis M. Moschak.
Cocaine and quinine perception: A novel approach to aversive stimulus pairing in rat addiction models (2024), Pamela Madrid, Travis M. Moschak.
Relationship between salience network and multiple test of drug motivation (2024), Nydia De Avila, Travis M. Moschak.
Shared and distinct ensembles in the prelimbic cortex and insula during behavioral predictors of addiction vulnerability (2024), Travis M. Moschak.
Behavioral and neuronal activity analysis in the prelimbic cortex during an impulsivity task (2024), Volume San Antonio, Ymalay Vega, Karla Galvan, Mariana Meza, Alyssa Lopez, Kimberly Turner, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Exploring the role of distress tolerance in ethanol-seeking behavior (2024), Volume San Antonio, Ricardo Sosa, Sofia Grijalva Torres, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Exploring varied patterns of substance use: A novel rat model of cocaine and quinine self administration (2024), Volume San Antonio, Peter Fogel, Pamela Madrid, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
The effects of ethanol abstinence on impulsivity in Long Evans rats (2024), Sofia Grijalva Torres, Ricardo Sosa, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Distress Tolerance and Impulsivity Share a Common Neuronal Ensemble in the Prelimbic Cortex that Predicts Drug- Water-Seeking Behavior (2023), Marina Peveto, Norma Dessauer, Travis M. Moschak.
Neuronal activity during a distress tolerance task using calcium imaging in male and female rats undergoing cocaine self-administration. (2023), Norma Dessauer, Marina Peveto, Travis M. Moschak.
Neuronal and Behavioral Comparison Between Different Impulsivity Tasks in Their Prediction of Water- and Cocaine-Seeking Behaviors in the Prelimbic Cortex. (2023), Alexa Reyes, Karla Galvan, Daniel Calvo, Sofia Grijalva Torres, Ymalay Vega, Alyssa Lopez, Jayson Reeves, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Aversive cues paired with cocaine self-administration drive sex-dependent patterns of drug intake (2023), Volume Barcelona, ESP, Rosalie Powers, Genesis Ramirez, Norma Dessauer, Peter Fogel, Travis M. Moschak.
Comparison of Behavior Between Different Tasks that Predict Cocaine- and Water-Seeking Behaviors in the Prelimbic Cortex. (2023), Ymalay Vega, Alyssa Lopez, Karla Galvan, Daniel Calvo, Rosalie Powers, Marina Peveto, Travis M. Moschak.
The effects of optogenetic stimulation in the lateral prelimbic cortex on motor function (2023), Genesis Ramirez, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Distress Tolerance and Impulsivity Share a Common Neuronal Ensemble in the Prelimbic Cortex that Predicts Drug- Water-Seeking Behavior (2023), Volume San Antonio, TX, Karla Galvan, Alyssa Lopez, Daniel Calvo, Ymalay Vega, Rosalie Powers, Travis M. Moschak.
Medial prefrontal and insular cortex activity during a distress tolerance task using in vivo electrophysiology in male and female rats which undergo cocaine self-administration. (2023), Volume San Antonio, TX, Marina Peveto, Ricardo Sosa, Travis M. Moschak.
What drives addiction? Investigating the neurocircuitry of impulsivity and negative affect (2023), Travis M. Moschak.
Assessing Prelimbic Cortex Activity in Male and Female Rats to Predict Cocaine-Seeking Behavior Using a Multi-Behavioral Neural Model of Addiction (2022), Alexandra Chavez, Travis M. Moschak.

Grants

A2: Striosomal models of drug use and cost
The impact of gastric sleeve bariatric surgery on cognition, mood and neural connectivity in an obese Hispanic population
R00: NEURAL CIRCUITRY OF DISTRESS TOLERANCE

Current/Future Courses

Term	Course	Section
Fall 2025	BIOL 6398 - Dissertation	14950
Fall 2025	BIOL 6399 - Dissertation	16248
Fall 2025	BIOL 6290 - Independent Research	16390
Fall 2025	BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science	16441
Fall 2025	BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	12472
Fall 2025	BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	15868
Fall 2025	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	16044
Fall 2025	BIOL 5398 - Thesis	16650
Fall 2025	BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology	15886
Fall 2025	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	12978
Summer 2025	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	30182
Summer 2025	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	32084

Past Courses

Select Term:

Term	Course	Section	Syllabus
Fall 2025	BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	12472
Fall 2025	BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	15868
Fall 2025	BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology	15886
Spring 2025	BIOL 6399 - Dissertation	26196
Spring 2025	BIOL 6290 - Independent Research	27957
Spring 2025	BIOL 6390 - Independent Research	26141
Spring 2025	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	23134	Syllabus
Spring 2025	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	20121
Spring 2025	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	27739
Spring 2025	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	22248
Fall 2024	BIOL 6399 - Dissertation	17613
Fall 2024	BIOL 6290 - Independent Research	15791
Fall 2024	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	15570
Fall 2024	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	17458
Fall 2024	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	13314
Fall 2024	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	17477
Summer 2024	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	30192
Summer 2024	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	32288
Spring 2024	BIOL 6399 - Dissertation	27844
Spring 2024	BIOL 6390 - Independent Research	27769
Spring 2024	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	23554
Spring 2024	BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science	26066
Spring 2024	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	20137
Spring 2024	BIOL 5399 - Thesis	28110
Spring 2024	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	22507
Fall 2023	BIOL 6398 - Dissertation	17652
Fall 2023	BIOL 6290 - Independent Research	17341
Fall 2023	BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science	12326
Fall 2023	BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	12378	Syllabus
Fall 2023	BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	16230	Syllabus
Fall 2023	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	17082
Fall 2023	BIOL 5398 - Thesis	17843
Fall 2023	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	13911
Summer 2023	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	34499
Spring 2023	BIOL 6390 - Independent Research	20454
Spring 2023	BIOL 6690 - Independent Research	22458
Spring 2023	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	23961	Syllabus
Spring 2023	BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science	27713
Spring 2023	BIOL 4198 - Special Problems	20142
Spring 2023	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	20253
Spring 2023	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	22733
Fall 2022	BIOL 6390 - Independent Research	17306
Fall 2022	BIOL 6690 - Independent Research	17330
Fall 2022	BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science	14531
Fall 2022	BIOL 4198 - Special Problems	14513
Fall 2022	BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology	16463	Syllabus
Fall 2022	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	17638
Spring 2022	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	25624	Syllabus
Spring 2022	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	20377
Spring 2022	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	24004
Fall 2021	BIOL 6290 - Independent Research	14534
Fall 2021	BIOL 4398 - Special Problems	17131
Fall 2021	RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research	16623
Spring 2021	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	26286	Syllabus

Course Evaluations

Term	Course	Section	Evaluation
Spring 2024	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	23554	Evaluation
Fall 2023	BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	12378	Evaluation
Fall 2023	BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science	16230	Evaluation
Spring 2023	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	23961	Evaluation
Fall 2022	BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology	16463	Evaluation
Spring 2022	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	25624	Evaluation
Spring 2021	BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience	26286	Evaluation

Bio

No info available.

Ph D in Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University (2014)

Publications

Distinct populations suppress or escalate intake of cocaine paired with aversive quinine Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2024), Rosalie Powers, Peter Fogel, Jayson Reeves, Pamela Madrid, Travis M. Moschak.
RECORD, a high-throughput, customizable system that unveils behavioral strategies leveraged by rodents during foraging-like decision-making Communications Biology (2024), Raquel Ibanez-Alcala, Travis M. Moschak, Alexander Friedman.
Prelimbic Cortex Activity during a Distress Tolerance Task Predicts Cocaine-Seeking Behavior in Male, But Not Female Rats Journal of Neuroscience (2023), Travis M. Moschak, T J. Sloand, Regina M. Carelli.
An opposing role for prelimbic cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens core in incubation of craving for cocaine versus water Drug and Alcohol Dependence 228 (2021), Travis M. Moschak, Regina M. Carelli.

Presentations

Investigating the Relationship Between the Salience Network and Multiple Test of Drug Motivation (2024), Volume Chicago, Nydia De Avila, Suhani Patel, Marina Smoak, Travis M. Moschak.
Optogenetic manipulation of INS-PrL connectivity: effects on cocaine self-administration and behavioral endophenotypes in male Long Evans rats (2024), Volume Chicago, Ricardo Sosa, Travis M. Moschak.
Punished versus effortful self-administration of cocaine using various concentrations of histamine & reinforcement schedules. (2024), Volume Chicago, Peter Fogel, Travis M. Moschak.
The role of the insula to medial prefrontal pathway in distress tolerance, cocaine self-administration, impulsivity, and anxiety-like behaviors. (2024), Volume Chicago, Marina Smoak, Nydia De Avila, Angelica Romero, Travis M. Moschak.
Interactions between the prelimbic cortex and anterior insula in behavioral predictors of addiction vulnerability. (2024), Volume Panama City, Panama, Travis M. Moschak.

A2: Striosomal models of drug use and cost
The impact of gastric sleeve bariatric surgery on cognition, mood and neural connectivity in an obese Hispanic population
R00: NEURAL CIRCUITRY OF DISTRESS TOLERANCE

Current/Future Courses

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 6398 - Dissertation

Section

14950

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 6399 - Dissertation

Section

16248

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 6290 - Independent Research

Section

16390

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science

Section

16441

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

12472

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

15868

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

16044

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 5398 - Thesis

Section

16650

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology

Section

15886

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

12978

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2025

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

30182

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2025

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

32084

Syllabus

Past Courses

Select Term:

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

12472

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

15868

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2025

Course

BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology

Section

15886

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

BIOL 6399 - Dissertation

Section

26196

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

BIOL 6290 - Independent Research

Section

27957

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

BIOL 6390 - Independent Research

Section

26141

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

23134

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

20121

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

27739

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2025

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

22248

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

BIOL 6399 - Dissertation

Section

17613

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

BIOL 6290 - Independent Research

Section

15791

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

15570

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

17458

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

13314

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2024

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

17477

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2024

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

30192

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2024

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

32288

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 6399 - Dissertation

Section

27844

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 6390 - Independent Research

Section

27769

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

23554

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science

Section

26066

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

20137

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 5399 - Thesis

Section

28110

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

22507

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 6398 - Dissertation

Section

17652

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 6290 - Independent Research

Section

17341

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science

Section

12326

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

12378

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

16230

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

17082

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 5398 - Thesis

Section

17843

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2023

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

13911

Syllabus

Term

Summer 2023

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

34499

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 6390 - Independent Research

Section

20454

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 6690 - Independent Research

Section

22458

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

23961

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science

Section

27713

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 4198 - Special Problems

Section

20142

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

20253

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2023

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

22733

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

BIOL 6390 - Independent Research

Section

17306

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

BIOL 6690 - Independent Research

Section

17330

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

BIOL 5302 - Resrch Biological Science

Section

14531

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

BIOL 4198 - Special Problems

Section

14513

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology

Section

16463

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2022

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

17638

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2022

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

25624

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2022

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

20377

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2022

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

24004

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2021

Course

BIOL 6290 - Independent Research

Section

14534

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2021

Course

BIOL 4398 - Special Problems

Section

17131

Syllabus

Term

Fall 2021

Course

RSRC 4033 - Undergraduate Research

Section

16623

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2021

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

26286

Syllabus

Term

Spring 2024

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

23554

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 5301 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

12378

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2023

Course

BIOL 6321 - Select Adv Topics Biol Science

Section

16230

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2023

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

23961

Evaluation

Term

Fall 2022

Course

BIOL 4395 - Topics in Biology

Section

16463

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2022

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

25624

Evaluation

Term

Spring 2021

Course

BIOL 2340 - Introductory Neuroscience

Section

26286

Evaluation

FACULTY PROFILES

Quick Links

Travis M. Moschak

FACULTY PROFILES

Travis M. Moschak

Bio

Education

Scholarly and Creative Activity

Grants

Courses

Course Evaluations