Sophie Croizier

Sophie Croizier is an Assistant Professor with conditional pre-tenure in the Department of Fundamental Neurosciences at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Faculty of Biology and Medicine, a position she has held since August 1, 2024.

Her academic journey includes a Doctorate in Health Sciences from the University of Franche-Comté (2007–2011), a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California (2011–2015), and leadership roles at the UNIL Integrative Genomics Center as an Ambizione group leader (2017–2021) and Assistant Professor under a Cloëtta Foundation Scholarship (2022–2024).

Sophie Croizier's research focuses on the genetic, anatomical, and functional complexity of brain circuits that regulate energy balance and carbohydrate homeostasis. Her work investigates how environmental factors during development and adulthood—such as maternal obesity, stress, and access to high-fat/sugary diets—influence the development and function of hypothalamic circuits, contributing to metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The trends in her research highlight a strong emphasis on developmental neuroscience, neural plasticity, and the neurobiological underpinnings of metabolic disorders, aiming to address major public health challenges.

• Pro-Women scholarship from the Faculty of Biology and Medicine at UNIL (2021)
• Sandoz Family Foundation's Monique de Meuron program award (2025)

Sophie Croizier has secured competitive research funding through prestigious grants such as the SNSF Ambizione and the Cloëtta Foundation Scholarship, supporting her independent research trajectory. She leads the "Development and Plasticity of Hypothalamic Circuits" group, contributing to academic training and mentoring within the Faculty of Biology and Medicine. While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership roles indicate active supervision and team mentorship.

She leads the Development and Plasticity of Hypothalamic Circuits research group at UNIL, situated within the Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, focusing on cutting-edge neuroscience research into metabolic regulation.