Hypothalamic function Professors and Supervisors | ApplySharif

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Achim KramerView profile

Professor

Heidelberg UniversityGermany

Achim Kramer serves as Professor of Chronobiology (W2, tenured) at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where he chairs the independent Research Unit for Chronobiology within the Institute of Medical Immunology. His academic career spans molecular chronobiology research and teaching since 2002, with significant contributions to understanding circadian clock mechanisms in mammals. His educational background includes a Biochemistry degree from Freie Universität Berlin (1988-1993), a Ph.D. in Biochemistry (summa cum laude, 1996) from Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and piano training at Berlin's Hochschule der Künste (1990-1994). Postdoctoral work included research at Harvard Medical School (1999-2001) under Charles Weitz and positions at IRBM Rome and Charité. Dr. Kramer's research centers on molecular mechanisms of circadian clocks, with expertise in protein interactions (CRY1-PER2), post-translational modifications, peripheral tissue clocks (macrophages, skin), and translational applications like circadian blood biomarkers. His work bridges structural biology, immunology, and sleep medicine to address how biological timing affects health and disease. Analysis of his publications reveals consistent focus on circadian molecular machinery across diverse biological contexts, with increasing translational emphasis in recent years on diagnostic applications and tissue-specific clock functions. His structural work on cryptochromes and phosphorylation mechanisms underpins fundamental understanding of clock regulation. Key honors include the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Award (DFG, 2002), Brooks Fellowship (Harvard, 2001), multiple Teaching Awards for Medical Neurosciences (2010-2015), and a Young Researcher's Award from Charité (1998). He leads the Chronobiology Research Unit within Charité's Institute of Medical Immunology, participating in the SFB/TRR186 consortium on molecular switches. His service includes chairing the 2015 Gordon Research Conference on Chronobiology, editorial roles at PLoS Genetics and Journal of Biological Rhythms, and leadership positions in the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms and European Biological Rhythms Society.

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Federico Salas-LuciaView profile

Assistant Professor

University of ChicagoUnited States

Federico Salas-Lucia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. His research integrates neurobiology and endocrinology to investigate thyroid hormone mechanisms in brain development and function, utilizing human iPSC-derived models, transgenic mice, and multi-omics approaches. His educational background includes a BS in Biology from the University of Alicante (2012), an MSc in Neuroscience from University Miguel Hernandez (2014), and a PhD in Neuroscience from the same institution (2018). Dr. Salas-Lucia's research focuses on intracellular mechanisms customizing thyroid hormone action during human brain development. His laboratory examines how thyroid hormones regulate bioenergetic processes supporting neurogenesis, with emphasis on mitochondrial function in neural progenitor cells and epigenetic regulation via DNA methylation. Using cutting-edge iPSC-derived cerebral organoids and advanced imaging, his work bridges molecular mechanisms to clinical correlations between maternal thyroid levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Current investigations include thyroid hormone transport via MCT8, deiodinase activity (DIO2/DIO3), and nuclear receptor signaling in neural cells. His publication portfolio since 2018 shows accelerating productivity, with 23 publications through 2025 (8 in 2023 alone). The research demonstrates strong thematic continuity in thyroid-brain interactions , evolving from foundational rodent studies to sophisticated human iPSC models. Recent work increasingly incorporates multi-omics approaches and addresses clinical implications for disorders like Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Emerging Group Leader Award, International Society for Neurochemistry (2025) As principal investigator of the Salas-Lucia Laboratory, he directs research on thyroid hormone signaling in neural development. His work receives significant attention, with publications referenced in clinical guidelines and covered by multiple news outlets. The laboratory maintains active collaborations with leading endocrinology researchers including Antonio Bianco and Samuel Refetoff, and participates in interdisciplinary networks exploring metabolic regulation and neurodevelopment. Current projects investigate epigenetic mechanisms in thyroid-mediated cortical development and therapeutic strategies for thyroid hormone transport disorders.

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Elizabeth VidelockView profile

Assistant Professor

University of California, Los AngelesUnited States

Elizabeth Videlock, M.D., Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine , University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) . Her laboratory is housed within the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and she leads the Videlock Laboratory . She is a physician-scientist with dual training in internal medicine and gastroenterology, and a Ph.D. in translational research focused on the gut-brain axis. Education and Training: B.S., Chemistry – Yale University M.D. – David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Internal Medicine Residency – Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Gastroenterology Fellowship – UCLA STAR Program Ph.D. – UCLA, under mentorship of Dr. Charalabos Pothoulakis and Dr. Lin Chang Research Focus: Dr. Videlock’s research centers on the gut-brain axis , with a particular emphasis on Parkinson’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . Her lab uses clinical samples, animal models, and cell-based systems to investigate how gastrointestinal dysfunction contributes to neurological disease. Key areas include mitochondrial dysfunction in the gut epithelium, alpha-synuclein pathology, and the role of genes like PINK1 and PRKN in intestinal health. Scientific Awards and Honors: NIH-NIDDK K08 Grant Award (2024) UCLA CTSI KL2 Translational Science Award (2023) Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Neurodegeneration Challenge Grant American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) FORWARD Scholar Funding and Grants: NIH-NIDDK K08: “Intestinal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Gut-Brain-Immune Axis in Models of Parkinson’s Disease” UCLA CTSI KL2: “Parkinson's Disease May Begin in the Gastrointestinal Tract” Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: “The Role of Pink1/Parkin in the Intestinal Epithelium” CURE Pilot and Feasibility Grant UCLA Claude Pepper Rapid Pilot Award Laboratory and Affiliations: Dr. Videlock leads the Videlock Laboratory within the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases . She is also affiliated with the UCLA G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience and the UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases .

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Mark WuView profile

Professor

Johns Hopkins UniversityUnited States

Mark Wu is a Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University, leading research on neural circuits and the neurobiology of sleep. His work focuses on uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying sleep regulation using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Key areas include circadian clock-neuron interactions, dopamine networks, and synaptic plasticity related to sleep-wake cycles. Research emphasizes genetic screens, electrophysiology, and functional imaging to study how circadian rhythms influence sleep timing. Notable contributions include discoveries about WIDE AWAKE's role in clock neuron excitability and sleep regulation, with implications for mammalian systems. Investigations into dopamine circuits explore their roles in arousal and feeding behaviors. Current projects analyze amygdalar oscillators coordinating behavioral rhythms, functional connectivity changes during sleep deprivation, and astroglial signaling encoding sleep need. The lab employs cutting-edge tools like genetic reagents and in vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology. Advising includes graduate student Jiali Xiong and postdoctoral researchers Sang Soo Lee, Qiang Liu, Mehmet Keles, and Anu Mehta. Research has been published in top journals including Neuron , Cell , and Science . Lab activities center on dissecting how internal states and external stimuli interact through neural circuits, with particular attention to sleep's role in synaptic plasticity and disease mechanisms.

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Shuting HanView profile

Research Fellow

University of ZurichSwitzerland

Dr. Shuting Han leads a Junior Research Group at the University of Zurich under the Helmchen Lab, funded by the SNSF Ambizione Fellowship since 2024. She holds a Research Fellow position focusing on cortical dynamics underlying sensory processing and memory. Her research examines how distributed cortical areas interact during sensory processing and memory formation, utilizing multi-area two-photon calcium imaging, virtual reality behavior paradigms, electrophysiology, and advanced data analysis techniques. Key projects include investigating sensory representation in cortical areas, predictive processing in neural circuits, cortico-cortical interactions, memory consolidation across the neocortex, and developing high-throughput imaging methodologies. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in cross-modal predictions, cortical microstates during consciousness alterations, and neural ensemble dynamics. She directs research on top-down predictive signals in neocortex and develops tools for volumetric neural imaging. SNSF Ambizione Fellowship Dr. Han mentors PhD students Maï Ly Leclair and Saidong Ma in the Helmchen Lab. Her group develops custom multi-area two-photon microscopes and applies machine learning for neural data analysis, bridging experimental neuroscience with computational approaches to decode cortical information processing.

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Martin MyersView profile

Professor

University of Michigan-Ann ArborUnited States

Martin Myers is a Professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, holding appointments in Internal Medicine (Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes) and Molecular and Integrative Physiology. He serves as Center Director of the Caswell Diabetes Institute and as a member of the Michigan Diabetes Research Center. Undergraduate: AB in Molecular Biology, Princeton University (1988) MD and PhD in Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School (1997) His research focuses on the central nervous system's role in regulating blood glucose and body weight, particularly through leptin receptor signaling and hypothalamic circuits. His work explores neural mediators of metabolic diseases, obesity, and diabetes mechanisms. Recent publications highlight neuroscience-endocrinology intersections, including hypothalamic regulation, GLP-1/leptin dual agonism, and ERAD pathway contributions to metabolic control. Keywords span neural circuits, signal transduction, and energy homeostasis. Scientific Awards: Michigan Biomedical Sciences Scholar Award (2004) ASCI Membership (2005) Jerome Conn Award for Excellence in Research (2006) American Diabetes Association’s Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award (2010) Dr. Myers has received numerous grants from NIH, Novo Nordisk, and foundations like the Warren Alpert Foundation, focusing on neural mechanisms in diabetes and obesity. He leads the Caswell Diabetes Institute and collaborates on multidisciplinary metabolic research.

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Anna HayesView profile

Assistant Professor

Oregon State UniversityUnited States

Anna Hayes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University, affiliated with the Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition and Preventive Health. Her research program focuses on the gut-brain axis, specifically designing foods that alter food intake, metabolism, and cognition through gut-brain communication, with emphasis on utilizing food waste byproducts. Her educational background includes: B.S. in Food & Nutrition Science from St. Catherine University (2014) Ph.D. in Food Science from Purdue University (2021) Postdoctoral fellowship in Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California (2025) Dr. Hayes' research integrates nutritional neuroscience, obesity mechanisms, and food science to investigate how dietary components (e.g., slowly digestible carbohydrates, low-calorie sweeteners) impact cognitive function and metabolic health. She employs both human trials and rodent models to study neural pathways like the vagus nerve and oxytocin signaling, with particular focus on early-life nutrition effects and traditional African food systems. Her work bridges food waste valorization with cognitive health outcomes. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2025) reveals three dominant research streams: (1) gut-brain axis mechanisms involving vagal signaling and oxytocin in memory regulation, (2) developmental programming of cognitive function through early-life diet (especially Western diets and food insecurity), and (3) metabolic impacts of carbohydrate digestion rates. Her global nutrition work examines traditional African foods like sorghum porridge in malnourished populations. Her scientific awards include: F32 Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship, NIH (2022-2025) Best poster award, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (2024) Early Career Research Grant, The Obesity Society (2023) Trainee Professional Development Award, Society for Neuroscience (2023) Harry R. Kissileff Award for best oral presentation, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (2023) 1st place oral presentation award, Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute (2022) Dr. Gideon 'Guy' Livingston Scholarship, Phi Tau Sigma (2020) Best student research award, Cereals & Grains Association Nutrition Division (2018) Feeding Tomorrow Graduate Scholarship, Institute of Food Technologists (2014-2015, 2018-2019) Dr. Hayes accepts graduate students for the Food Science and Technology Department and directs research supported by competitive grants including the NIH F32 fellowship and The Obesity Society's Early Career Research Grant. Her laboratory investigates neural mechanisms of diet-induced cognitive changes using physiological, behavioral, and molecular approaches. She collaborates with global nutrition initiatives focused on African food systems and participates in interdisciplinary projects at the Moore Family Center. She maintains active professional engagement through the Institute of Food Technologists, Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior, American Society for Nutrition, The Obesity Society, and Phi Tau Sigma Honor Society, regularly presenting at major conferences in neuroscience and nutrition.

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Erin HeinzenView profile

Associate Professor

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUnited States

Erin Heinzen is an Associate Professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, with a joint appointment in the UNC Department of Genetics. She holds a Pharm.D. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by postdoctoral training at Duke University. Her research focuses on the genetic and genomic basis of epilepsy disorders, particularly somatic mutations and transcriptomic regulation in neurological diseases. Education: Pharm.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2001) Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2004) Research Interests: Dr. Heinzen’s lab investigates somatic mutations in epilepsy and brain malformations, using induced pluripotent stem cells and advanced sequencing technologies. Key projects include studying SLC35A2 variants in intractable epilepsy and analyzing transcriptomic changes in brain tissue. Her work has identified 15 epilepsy genes, including the gene for Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood. Grants & Awards: NIH-funded research, including $7M in collaborative grants to study genetic variants in epilepsy. Active in consortia like Epi4K and ILAE. Labs & Teams: The Heinzen Lab collaborates with neurology, neuropathology, and neurosurgery groups globally, advancing neurogenetics and treatment approaches for intractable seizures.

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Kirsten RasmussenView profile

Professor

Norwegian University of Science And TechnologyNorway

Kirsten Rasmussen is affiliated with the Department of Psychology and Department of Mental Health at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research spans forensic psychology, clinical psychology, ADHD, psychopathy, and mental health in the criminal justice system. Department: Department of Psychology Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology Email: kirsten.rasmussen@ntnu.no Her research interests center on forensic psychological assessment, particularly focusing on ADHD in adult populations, psychopathy, violence risk, autism spectrum disorders in forensic settings, and intellectual disabilities within the justice system. She investigates how neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions intersect with criminal behavior and legal accountability. The trends in her recent publications reflect a strong focus on neurobiological correlates of violence and psychopathy, using neuroimaging and electrophysiological methods. Her work also emphasizes public understanding of ADHD and challenges misconceptions about mental illness and crime. She contributes significantly to both academic literature and public discourse through feature articles and opinion pieces. While no formal scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates significant scholarly contribution. Rasmussen has been involved in research projects related to violence risk assessment tools (e.g., HCR-20, Brøset Violence Checklist), ADHD treatment outcomes, and forensic evaluation practices. She collaborates with key figures in Norwegian forensic psychiatry and psychology. Although no direct mention of advising students or grants is made, her role in doctoral dissertations and collaborative research implies academic mentorship and research leadership. She is part of research teams focused on forensic mental health, ADHD in adulthood, and the interface between psychology and law. Her work contributes to improving forensic assessment standards and promoting evidence-based practices in the Norwegian justice and mental health systems.

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Breanna N. HarrisView profile

Assistant Professor

Texas Tech UniversityUnited States

Dr. Breanna N. Harris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University, where she leads an integrative research program focused on stress physiology and its impacts on behavior, reproduction, and health. She holds a Ph.D. in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology from the University of California, Riverside (2007-2012) and a B.S. in Marine Biology from Ohio University (2001-2005). Her work bridges comparative biology, behavioral endocrinology, and human health applications, with notable contributions to understanding the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis across species. Education: Ph.D., Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside (2007-2012) B.S., Marine Biology, Ohio University (2001-2005) Research Interests: Dr. Harris's research centers on how stressors influence organismal function and life-history trade-offs. She employs a comparative approach, studying species ranging from crabs and sharks to mice and humans, to investigate the behavioral and physiological consequences of stress-response plasticity. Key themes include the role of the HPA axis in health and disease, the impact of sensory perception and genotype on stress responses, and the translation of stress into functional outcomes like cognition and reproduction. Scientific Awards: Inducted into the TTU Teaching Academy (2019) Outreach and Education: Dr. Harris is deeply committed to science communication and education. She co-curated the NSF-funded museum exhibit Why Frogs Don’t Get Fat: Predators, Fear, and Feeding in the Wild at the Museum of Texas Tech and developed educational resources tied to the film To Dust . Her lab actively involves undergraduate students in research, fostering the next generation of scientists. Teaching: Biology 4301-D79: Human Reproduction and Sexual Behavior (online) Biology 4301-079: Peer Mentoring in Human Physiology Zoology 2404: Anatomy and Physiology II Biology 4301-079: Brain, Behavior and Hormones

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Andrew TitmanView profile

Professor

Lancaster UniversityUnited Kingdom

Andrew Titman is a Professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences at Lancaster University . His research focuses on survival analysis and multi-state modeling with applications in medical statistics and quantitative methodology. Primary Affiliation: School of Mathematical Sciences, Lancaster University Contact: a.titman@lancaster.ac.uk Research Interests include: Development of non-Markov multi-state models for complex survival data Latent variable modeling for health-related quality of life questionnaires Methodology for informative observation times in clinical trials Health economic decision modeling applications Survival analysis with misclassification and time non-homogeneity Recent Publications demonstrate expertise in: Bayesian state-space models for sports analytics Multi-state model diagnostics and goodness-of-fit testing Medical applications in endocrinology and hematology Simulation methodology with input uncertainty quantification Scientific Contributions include: Development of R packages: nhm, CIFresolve, miscIC Creation of the MarkovTest GitHub repository for multi-state model validation Methodological frameworks for non-homogeneous Markov models

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Corinna ReichlView profile

Researcher

University of BernSwitzerland

Corinna Reichl is a Postdoc researcher and senior research assistant at the University of Bern's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. She co-leads the specialized outpatient clinic for adolescent risk-taking and self-harm behavior (AtR!Sk). Her research focuses on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, childhood adversity effects on mental health, and early intervention for borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescents. She holds a PhD and has extensive clinical and research experience in adolescent mental health. Her work bridges clinical practice and neuroscience, with a particular emphasis on biological and psychological mechanisms underlying self-harm and personality disorders. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and presented at international conferences on topics such as NSSI trajectories, cortisol dynamics, and BPD treatment outcomes. Key research interests include: Neurobiological underpinnings of NSSI and BPD Impact of childhood adversity on stress responses Early intervention strategies for adolescent BPD Psychopathological correlates of personality dysfunction Her presentations and publications address clinical applications of research findings, including stepped care approaches, machine learning in phenotyping, and transdiagnostic symptom evaluation. She actively contributes to training programs on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT-A) for adolescents and crisis intervention strategies.

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Ilana WittenView profile

Professor

Princeton UniversityUnited States

Ilana Witten is Professor at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University. Her research investigates the neural mechanisms underlying reward learning, decision-making, and behavioral control using integrative approaches including optogenetics, rodent behavior, electrophysiology, and computational modeling. Research focuses on: Neural circuit mechanisms of reward seeking behaviors Striatal contributions to learning and decision-making Neurobiology of individual differences in behavior Integration of sensory information with reward outcomes Neural plasticity during learning processes Publications center on dopaminergic systems, striatal function, and neural circuit dynamics. Recent trends include work on prediction errors, neural representations of prior information, and circuit mechanisms of behavioral control. Lab: Leads the Witten Lab at Princeton Neuroscience Institute investigating neural circuits of reward and decision.

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Igor SpigelmanView profile

Professor

University of California, Los AngelesUnited States

Igor Spigelman is a Professor in the Dentistry Department at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), with a robust research program spanning neuroscience, alcohol effects on the brain, pain mechanisms, and cannabinoid pharmacology. His work bridges dental and medical neuroscience, focusing on the neural mechanisms underlying pain, addiction, and stress responses. Spigelman's research interests primarily center on neurophysiological mechanisms of pain and addiction. His laboratory investigates GABAergic neurotransmission, trigeminal system function, and the molecular basis of alcohol dependence. He has made significant contributions to understanding how chronic alcohol exposure alters neuronal function in brain regions involved in stress response and reward processing. His work on peripheral cannabinoid receptors has implications for developing novel pain therapeutics without central side effects. Recent research has expanded into AI applications for neurodegenerative disease biomarker discovery, particularly for ALS. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent research themes across three decades: the neurobiology of alcohol dependence, trigeminal pain pathways, and GABA receptor plasticity. His most cited work focuses on ethanol-induced changes in GABA receptor function and the role of peripheral cannabinoid receptors in pain management. The research demonstrates strong translational potential, with several publications exploring therapeutic approaches for alcohol use disorders and chronic pain conditions. Spigelman's laboratory has maintained active collaborations across multiple institutions, with frequent co-authorship with researchers from UCLA's neuroscience, psychology, and medical departments. His work shows consistent funding support as evidenced by the sustained publication record and involvement in NIH T32 training grants mentioned in the departmental information.

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Ed WagnerView profile

Professor

Western University of Health SciencesUnited States

Ed Wagner, PhD Ed Wagner is a Professor of Physiology at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences. He joined the institution in 2001 and has held roles including Director of the MSBS Program since 2018. His academic career spans over three decades, with postdoctoral training at Oregon Health Sciences University and faculty appointments in Pharmacology, Neuroscience, and Physiology. Education Dual Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Toxicology/Neuroscience, Michigan State University (1994) B.S. in Psychobiology, UCLA (1986) Orange Coast College (1983) Research Focus Wagner’s work centers on sex differences in cannabinoid regulation of energy homeostasis and gonadal steroid modulation of hypothalamic circuits. Key areas include: Cannabinoid effects on feeding behavior Sex-specific responses to CB1 receptor agonists/antagonists Estrogen’s role in attenuating cannabinoid-induced effects Neuroendocrine control of energy balance via POMC and SF-1 neurons His lab employs optogenetic, chemogenetic, and molecular approaches, with NIH funding since 2017. Awards & Recognition Provost’s Distinguished Scholar Award (2018) WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award (2015) Invited speaker at conferences including the International Congress on Steroids and the Nervous System (multiple years) Grants & Funding NIH R15 Grant (2017–2020): Investigating sex differences in cannabinoid regulation of energy homeostasis. Prior grants include NIDA K01 and NICHD R01 support. Labs & Collaborations Leads a research group focusing on neuroendocrine mechanisms, collaborating with institutions like UCLA and University of North Texas. Active in mentoring students in the MSBS Program.

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