Student Profile in Hypothalamic Control of Metabolism

Ryan Reynolds

Molecular Metabolism & Metabolic Diseases Track

Mentor: Joel Elmquist, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Undergraduate Degree: Neuroscience
Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Dallas
City You Were Born In: Pittsfield, MA
City You Grew Up In: Plano, TX
Awards/Fellowships: UT Dallas Green Fellow (2014)

What year did you matriculate into the graduate school at UTSW?

2018

How did you become interested in science and/or research specifically?

Growing up, I was always fascinated by the vastness of space, drawn to the unknown secrets of the cosmos. As I grew older, I realized that we actually know less about the human body than we do about the rest of the universe. This simple notion compelled me to shift my interests more introspectively, and after a few elective courses at UT Dallas, I decided to switch to the Neuroscience program and volunteer as an undergraduate researcher. It was here that I found my passion in understanding the human body, and specifically, how billions of neurons in the brain cooperate to create consciousness and behaviors, control motor movements, and preserve memories for decades. Now, I am fascinated by a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, which acts as an interface to detect signals in the blood and seamlessly integrate them into complex neural circuitry that influences animal behavior.

Tell us about your research project and its relevance to human health (if any).

My research in Dr. Joel Elmquist's laboratory is focused on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, which is produced in a variety of species ranging from humans to frogs. This highly-conserved hormone was originally found to regulate pigmentation of the skin, but over half a century later, it was discovered that it also critically functions in the brain to regulate food intake. My goal is to use novel genetic tools that we have developed to dissect the role of this hormone in different cells in the brain and body to better understand how it regulates metabolism. It is my hope that this research will build on the growing body of evidence that the melanocortins may be harnessed to potentially treat obesity and/or diabetes.

Why did you choose to come to UTSW for graduate school?

Growing up around Dallas, I was no stranger to UT Southwestern's prestigious reputation for excellent medical care and cutting-edge research. UT Southwestern promotes an extremely collaborative environment between doctors and scientists that inspires breakthrough discoveries, paving the way for new therapies. Aside from this, I knew UT Southwestern would be my top choice for graduate school because they have an exceptionally supportive student body and administration that is focused on the well-being of the students. To this end, as an incoming student I wanted to branch out from my strictly neuroscience background, and I was thrilled that I could take my core courses, do my laboratory rotations, then pick the graduate program that would best supplement the lab I chose.

In your opinion, what makes your specific program one of the top in the country?

UT Southwestern has a rich scientific history that has contributed enormously to many fields of research, including Nobel Prize-winning research in metabolism. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the metabolic research done at UT Southwestern is second to none. Wherever my research takes me, there is always an expert on campus I can consult to offer guidance and new insights to promote my growth as a scientist.

What do you love about your program or why should a prospective student decide to get their Ph.D. here?

The Molecular Metabolism and Metabolic Disease Track will place students at the forefront of the innovative and collaborative metabolic research environment at UT Southwestern. As a student, I have access to cutting-edge research tools and resources made available through The Center for Hypothalamic Research, Touchstone Diabetes Center, Center for Human Nutrition, and more. This level of collaboration insures I can pursue any scientific question without inhibition and inspires me to always think bigger.

– Ryan Reynolds, Molecular Metabolism & Metabolic Diseases Track and Biological Chemistry Graduate Program