Nicole Avena

Dr. Nicole Avena is a Visiting Associate Professor at Princeton University, with affiliations at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Psychology from Princeton and completed postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University. Her research focuses on food addiction, obesity, eating disorders, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addictive behaviors. Dr. Avena has authored over 70 journal articles and numerous books, including Why Diets Fail and What to Eat When You’re Pregnant.

Her work has been funded by organizations such as the NIH, National Eating Disorders Association, and pharmaceutical partners. Awards include recognition from the New York Academy of Sciences and the American Psychological Association. Her Avena Lab explores the intersection of food, addiction, and neuroscience, with studies on binge eating, reward systems, and translational interventions.

Dr. Avena’s research bridges basic science and clinical applications, addressing the societal impact of food addiction. She has contributed to understanding the role of dietary factors, gut-brain interactions, and behavioral interventions in obesity and eating disorders. Her findings have informed public health policies and media engagement through interviews and authored content for diverse audiences.