Stephen Sammut, PhD
Principal Investigator
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OF STEUBENVILLE
ssammut@franciscan.edu
Dr. Stephen Sammut received a B.Pharm from Monash University in Victoria, Australia and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Malta in Malta, Europe and is a Full Professor of Psychology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH. His research interests lie in the utilization of behavioral models and combined experimental techniques to investigate the interaction between the endocrine, immune and nervous systems and their role in CNS development, functioning and psychopathology. His scientific career has given him the unique experience of having a leading role in the original setting-up and management of laboratories and a broad experience in a number of animal models of psychiatric disorders including depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and drug abuse. Moreover, he has utilized various in vivo and in vitro techniques including electrophysiology, electrochemistry, reverse-microdialysis, individually or in combination with each other, in order to investigate questions related to behavior, cellular activity, neurotransmitter release, and how these are altered in psychiatric diseases in brain regions of interest. He has authored and co-authored several papers in leading scientific journals related to the research he has conducted, including his groundbreaking studies describing an animal model addressing the behavioral and physiological impact of drug-induced abortion and abortion-pill reversal. He has also presented his work at various conferences and institutions nationally and internationally. Dr. Sammut established and is the principal investigator of his laboratory leading research efforts focused on two primary areas: 1) research geared at investigating the neurological, biological and behavioral consequences of drug-induced abortion in an animal model, 2) pre-clinical research addressing the abortion-pill-reversal. Additionally, and in line with his research interest in psychopathology, Dr. Sammut also conducts research addressing mental health and related behaviors in the university student population.
Dr. Stephen Sammut is available to give talks on various topics related to his research and his field of expertise and is a member of the Catholic Speakers Organization.
Current Lab Members
Student Lab Technical Assistants
Former Lab Members
Research Assistants
- Christina Camilleri, BS, MBA – Senior Research Assistant (2015-2024)
Student Lab Technical Assistants
- Sarah Louthan, BA (2022 – 2024)
- Rebecca Beiter, BA (2013 – 2015)
- Joshua Elliot, BA, MA (2013 – 2015)
Sammut Lab 