A Tale of Two Mouse Models of Menopause - How Dietary Fatty Acids and Estrogens Interact to Alter Physiology, Behavior, and the Gut Microbiome

Seminar Title: A Tale of Two Mouse Models of Menopause - How Dietary Fatty Acids and Estrogens Interact to Alter Physiology, Behavior, and the Gut Microbiome

Presenter: Dr. Troy A. Roepke, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University

Troy joined the Rutgers University faculty in 2011 after spending six years at Oregon Health & Science University as a postdoctoral fellow in neuroendocrinology of estrogens. Troy earned their bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in marine science/biology from Long Island University – Southampton College and San Francisco State University, respectively. Troy then completed their education earning a PhD in Physiology/Reproductive Biology at the University of California, Davis in 2005 where they studied marine invertebrate reproduction. 

Troy’s primary research combines their training and expertise gained from UC-Davis and at OHSU by examining the interactions of gonadal steroids (estrogens), diets, and endocrine disruptors on the physiological and neurological processes controlled by the hypothalamus, including reproduction, energy homeostasis, stress, and mood. Troy was the recipient of a K99/R00 Pathways to Independence Award from NIDDK and has been funded by NIEHS to study flame retardants and is currently by an R01 from NIMH to study the sex differences in the response to chronic stress in mice and the role of estrogen signaling. Troy has authored or co-authored over fifty publications over a wide range of fields including endocrine disruption, the hypothalamic control of reproduction, estrogen signaling, potassium channel activity in the context of reproduction, energy homeostasis, the stress response, and mood. 

During the decade that Troy has been a Rutgers faculty, they have been active member of several graduate programs, including currently acting as the Graduate Program Director for Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences, and institutes like the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, the Rutgers Brain Institute, and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. Troy was recently promoted to Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. 

Troy’s has long been an advocate for students and trainees from marginalized communities especially for students who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Troy’s lab, the Pink Lab, has long been known as a safe and supportive environment for queer students. Troy also is active in many scientific societies advocating for inclusive practices for trans and non-binary people in STEM. Troy is currently the Vice-President for the Out Toxicologist and Allies Special Interest Group of the Society of Toxicology.

Talk Summary: Troy will be discussing their recent work in collaboration with Drs. Diana Roopchand and Sara Campbell examining the influence of fatty acid composition in high-fat diets on metabolism, behavior, and gut health in two mouse models of menopause.

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