​The Reproductive Neuroscience group focuses on clarifying how the brain and pituitary integrate diverse signals (such as metabolic condition, obesity, ovarian steroids, stress and season) that lead to fertility and infertility. Understanding these neuroendocrine mechanisms will help yield new therapeutic targets for fertility regulation.  

The main goal of this group is to better understand the complex interrelationships between key neural networks in the central nervous system and reproductive function. Gonadal function in males and females is dependent on hypothalamic input (GnRH) to the anterior pituitary gland to regulate gonadotropin production. This group aims to elucidate the developmental, functional and molecular phenotypes of the neural networks that underlie GnRH production by the hypothalamus and the cellular and molecular events underlying GnRH signaling at the level of the anterior pituitary gland.

Current Research Areas

• Hypothalamic and pituitary mechanisms underlying the generation of the ovulatory LH surge
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of estradiol signaling in the brain and pituitary gland
• Neurology of food intake and addiction
• Neurology of stress and depression
• CNS regulation of vascular smooth muscle and cardiovascular function
• Fetal development of the hypothalamus

Learn more about the work our faculty are doing by visiting our faculty profile pages.