Dr. James Pfaus: The future of human happiness

“I fell head over heels in love with Montreal,” says Dr. James Pfaus, Professor in Concordia’s Department of Psychology and researcher in the Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology (CSBN). In 1992, he turned down job offers from other universities to come to Concordia, and he has never looked back.

His research generally deals with the physiological and psychological factors that influence sexual desire and behaviour. Pfaus and his research team are at the forefront of the next wave of drug development for sexual dysfunctions, working on a drug to treat desire disorders at the level of the brain. He works with laboratory rats (observing their dating and mating behaviour) and human subjects. His findings help companies like Palatin Technologies, Roche and Pfizer develop drugs to treat sexual dysfunctions, which help people overcome physical and psychological barriers to a fulfilling sex life. His research also helps address the side effects of other drugs such as anti-depressants, and create promising therapies for drug addiction and sexual disorders.

Pfaus derives great satisfaction from his own work, as well as the increasing contributions his students are making to new research and as skilled employees for the local pharmaceutical industry. Recognized internationally for the excellence of his work, Pfaus would be successful in his field anywhere, but he enjoys Concordia’s lively, collegial academic culture, and his unique Montreal lifestyle. “My colleagues support me both at work and at play by regularly attending performances of my punk band,” he says. “It would be hard to find that combination anywhere else.”