Frankie Heyward

Dr. Frankie Heyward is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Neuroscience at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with affiliation to the Center for Hypothalamic Research. His laboratory investigates neuroepigenetic mechanisms in metabolic regulation.

His research focuses on how hypothalamic synaptic plasticity regulates body weight set-point and how dysregulation contributes to obesity and metabolic disorders. The lab employs cutting-edge techniques including single-cell multiomics, epigenome engineering, and behavioral assessments.

Recent publications demonstrate his work on post-diet weight regain mechanisms and transcriptional regulation of hunger pathways, contributing to understanding obesity pathophysiology at molecular and circuit levels.