Max became interested in neuropharmacology and addiction towards the end of his undergraduate education. He obtained his PhD in Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University, where he worked with Brad Grueter to examine how cocaine alters synaptic strength and plasticity within the nucleus accumbens. Max then worked with Jeff Conn as a postdoc to examine mGlu receptor modulation of prefrontal cortex circuits in the context of stress and alcohol exposure.

Max is an active mentor in the Center for Neuroscience of the University of Pittsburgh graduate program. He is also a member of several national and international scientific societies, including the Research Society on Alcohol (Executive Board 2025-2029), the International Narcotics Research Conference, and the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Research from the Joffe lab has been recognized with national awards (NPP Editor’s Early Career Award, BBRF Young Investigator Award, NIDA DP1 Avenir Award).