John Glendinning

John Glendinning is the Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Biological Sciences at Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University. His research focuses on the physiological mechanisms underlying food intake, particularly how taste influences metabolic and behavioral responses to sugars, carbohydrates, and alcohol. He investigates how prenatal and postnatal experiences shape taste preferences in mice using behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular approaches. Glendinning holds a BA from Hampshire College and a PhD from the University of Florida, with postdoctoral training at Florida State University, University of Florida, and University of Arizona.

His research emphasizes cephalic-phase insulin responses, sugar consumption patterns, and olfactory-taste interactions. Recent work highlights how mice learn to associate flavors with metabolic outcomes, with implications for understanding human dietary behaviors. Key findings include the stability of insulin responses in predicting glucose tolerance and the role of early-life exposure in shaping food preferences.

Glendinning has been recognized as part of the top 2% of cited authors globally. He teaches courses in physiology, neuroscience, and flavor perception, mentoring numerous students in his research. His lab explores metabolic signaling pathways and the evolutionary basis of taste-driven food selection, contributing to both basic science and translational nutrition research.