Holly A. Ingraham

My research efforts are aimed at understanding how hormones influence the nervous system to better understand how age-related or drug-induced hormonal changes alter female physiology. My initial work at UCSF began by dissecting gonadal differentiation, and today we continue to study sex differences in the gut and brain. I am particularly keen to understand the cellular and molecular basis of metabolic/behavioral disorders that exhibit sex bias in women. As evidenced by our publication record, we engage in a multi-faceted approach that focuses on central and peripheral physiological systems, including the skeletal system. Current studies are largely focused on the role of hormone signaling acting through nuclear receptors in highly responsive tissues, including the hypothalamus and the gut epithelium. Another primary focus of my academic activities is directed towards the most vulnerable population in our nation's biomedical educational pipeline – women and minority postdoctoral fellows. I serve as the Director of the NIGMS-IRACDA program at UCSF, which provides a cohort of scholars with individualized mentoring and career development plans for future success at R1 and R3 institutions.