About
Dr. Persephone Valdez investigates how hypothalamic neuropeptides orchestrate appetite and energy balance at UCSF. Her work has identified novel peptide-based targets for metabolic syndrome intervention.
Summary
Discovered a previously unknown hypothalamic peptide circuit that links stress signaling to metabolic dysfunction.
Key Lessons
An animal model discrepancy between lean and obese strains taught her that peptide pharmacodynamics must always be evaluated across metabolic phenotypes.
Certifications
- M.D., UCSF
- Endocrine Society Member
- NIH MERIT Award
Areas of Expertise
- Hypothalamic peptides
- Appetite regulation
- Neuroendocrine axes