Nicolas Berbari

Nicolas Berbari is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Neuroscience at Indiana University. His research is affiliated with the IU Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine and the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute.

Dr. Berbari's research focuses on the roles of small hair-like cellular appendages called cilia, particularly in the brain. His work investigates how cilia disruption in feeding centers of the brain results in obesity in both mice and patients with genetic disorders that affect cilia function. He is currently working to determine how cilia can affect appetite and satiety using conditional and congenital knockout mouse models, tissue culture, pharmacology, and electrophysiology.

His publication record shows consistent productivity with research spanning cell biology, neuroscience, and metabolic disorders. Recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate ongoing focus on cilia signaling pathways, neuronal cilia in energy homeostasis, and postnatal ciliary protein localization in the mouse brain, indicating an active research program with contemporary relevance to obesity mechanisms and neurodevelopmental processes.

Dr. Berbari received his B.S. in Biology from Indiana University in 2002 and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Ohio State University in 2008.