Faculty advisor:  Dr. Elizabeth Mietlicki-Baase

Goals: We use rodent models to understand the mechanisms underlying neural controls of energy balance, including the brain areas and neurohormones involved in controlling feeding, body weight, and food reward. We are interested in identifying how these mechanisms may differ in females and males.

Tasks: Students will work hands-on with rodents and assist in experiments aimed at understanding neural controls of energy balance in rats. The student will learn skills such as rodent handling / weighing, injections, monitoring food intake in rats, and assessing behavior in paradigms like lever pressing for palatable food.

Time commitment: 2-3 credits