Stephanie Fulton

Dr. Stephanie Fulton is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal. Her research focuses on the neural processes controlling reward and emotional states, particularly how dietary factors and hormones like leptin interact with the mesolimbic dopamine pathway to influence obesity, metabolic diseases, and mood disorders such as depression.

Her laboratory employs animal models with techniques such as

• In vivo gene deletion/transfer via virus
• Brain injections
• Behavioral testing
• Neuropharmacology
• Molecular biology

She is affiliated with the Montreal Diabetes Research Center (CRDM), the Behavioral Neurobiology Research Group (CSBN), and the Cardiometabolic Axis at the CRCHUM.

Key research themes include

• Neural reward system
• Obesity and motivation
• Dietary lipids and brain function
• Metabolic disturbances in mental health
• Leptin signaling in dopamine neurons
• High-fat diet withdrawal effects

Her recent publications highlight the interplay between saturated fats, dopamine signaling, and emotional behavior, alongside leptin’s role in food reward and mood regulation.

Scientific awards include

• CIHR New Investigator Salary Award
• Jeune Chercheur Award (CMDO, 2014)
• Prix d'Excellence Jeune Chercheur en Santé (CRCHUM, 2016)

Her work is supported by grants from CIHR, NSERC, and Merck Dohme Corp/UdeM.