Alfonso Abizaid

Dr. Alfonso Abizaid is a Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. He holds a PhD from Concordia University where he received the Governor General Medal and served as valedictorian. His research focuses on neuroendocrine regulation of feeding behavior, energy balance, and stress responses through the Abizaid Lab. Current investigations examine ghrelin's effects on reward systems, stress-induced feeding behaviors, and developmental impacts of prenatal exposures.

His research interests span neuroendocrinology, behavioral neuroscience, metabolic regulation, stress physiology, and developmental programming of neural circuits. Recent work explores hormonal modulation of reward pathways, stress-coping mechanisms through feeding, and epigenetic effects of environmental factors on hypothalamic development.

Dr. Abizaid teaches courses including NEUR 3402 (Impact of Lifestyle and Social Interactions on Mental Health), NEUR 3303 (Hormones and Behaviour), and NEUR 6100 (Graduate Seminar). He currently advises multiple graduate students including Brenna MacAulay, Zachary Silver, Frances Sherratt, and Victoria Douan.

Awards:

• Governor General Medal for PhD research