Kristine McDermott, PhD

I am a postdoctoral fellow at the University of South Florida with a background in biomedical sciences and neuroscience. I earned my PhD in Neuroscience, where I studied neuronal mechanisms underlying body weight regulation, and continued my postdoctoral training in Houston before moving to Florida. I became interested in research through a passion for understanding how the brain regulates complex behaviors, particularly those related to metabolism and appetite. My current work combines electrophysiology, fiber photometry, and circuit-based approaches to study serotonin's role in regulating feeding and energy balance. Looking ahead, I plan to establish an independent research program focused on dissecting neural circuits that contribute to metabolic and psychiatric disorders, with the long-term goal of developing novel therapeutic strategies. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and being a tourist in Tampa.