Ciencia Puerto Rico

My dissertation involves investigating the effects of estrogen (E2) signaling & regulation of metabolism and energy balance in the body and brain using female rat models. The brain plays an important role in regulating behaviors such a feeding and spontaneous activity as well as metabolism such as glucose and energy storage. The female system has been under-investigated in pre-clinical research primarily due to hormonal fluctuations that naturally occur due to the estrous cycle which impact behavioral and physiological results, adding complexity. However, it is important to understand how these hormonal fluctuations impact the female system in order to improve pharmaceutical and therapeutic interventions.