Research

Goals are to understand cardiometabolic and stress-related diseases and to inform novel strategies to treat and prevent these pathologies.

Towards this end, our laboratory conducts preclinical studies that implement a multilevel and integrative approach that spans the use of several molecular, genetic, physiological and behavioral techniques. For example, a combination of genetic tailoring, virally-mediated gene transfer and advanced microscopy is used to reveal the connectivity of neurons implicated in the pathogenesis or reversal of stress-related disease. Optogenetics, chemogenetics, and in vivo calcium imaging are used to determine how the activity of specific types of neurons is coupled to changes in physiology and behavior.  Finally, our laboratory uses models of disease (diet-induced obesity, social stressors) to understand the impact that stress has on gene expression, neuronal activity, and connectivity.  Collectively, the information gleaned from our studies is used to identify novel therapeutic targets and interventions that ease the burden of cardiometabolic and other stress-related diseases and thereby improve health.