Profile
Dr. John Lever’s research centers upon the development and use of novel radioactive tracers to gain a better understanding of either neoplastic disease or substance abuse by in vitro and in vivo methods with a view toward translation to nuclear medicine clinics. His research is multidisciplinary and involves medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology and the functional radionuclide imaging and radionuclide therapy techniques of nuclear medicine. The National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Drug Abuse have funded Dr. Lever’s work over the past 35 years through a series of R01, R21 and RC1 awards as Principal Investigator as well as multiple P01 and P50 awards as Project and Core Leader.
Academic Information
Associate Professor Emeritus
Research Scientist, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital
P. 573-884-6603
Research Interests
- Radiotracers that bind tenaciously to opioid receptors in vivo for non-invasive imaging and radionuclide therapy of lung cancer
- Radioactive photoaffinity probes for structure/function studies of dopamine and serotonin transporters
- Radiotracers for studies of psychostimulant interactions with cerebral sigma receptors with a view toward identification of neurochemical mechanisms and the development of medications to combat cocaine and methamphetamine abuse
Areas of Expertise
- Medicinal chemistry
- Radiochemistry
- Molecular pharmacology
- Radionuclide imaging and therapy
Education & Training
Medical School
North Carolina State University