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Lutas - 2026

Mentor: Andrew Lutas, Ph.D | andrew.lutas@nih.gov
Lab
Neuromodulation and motivation section NIDDK

The Neuromodulation and Motivation Section focuses on understanding the motivation to seek and overeat food. A brain area called the amygdala is involved with emotions and may contribute to overeating when we are stressed or in a strong emotional state. We are studying the ability of the amygdala to cause overeating in mice using cutting-edge neuroscience techniques including optogenetics, 2-photon microscopy, and machine learning analysis of videography. The goal of this ongoing study is to better understand how current obesity treatments work and identify long-term solutions for metabolic health.

A BESIP summer intern would:

  • Help collect videography data of mice consuming food.
  • Analyze videography using cutting-edge machine learning approaches including DeepLabCut and Simba.
  • Develop code in Matlab and Python to analyze how manipulations of specific brain circuits or injections of obesity medications impact eating behaviors.
  • Help collect neural circuit recordings in live mice using photometry and 2-photon microscopy.
  • Acquire a deeper understanding of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.