Catarina Aguiar Goncalves

I am a joint PhD student at the University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne, and will be undertaking research at both institutions to unravel the circuitry behind energy balance. 

At the University of Manchester, I am a PGR Rep for the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology within the School of Medical Sciences.

I am interested in how the brain regulates appetite, body weight, energy expenditure and muscle dynamics. Additionally, I enjoy teaching and have become a tutor for the Brilliant Club's Scholars Programme, which allows me to share my subject knowledge and passion for learning with state school pupils aged 14-15. 

I am supervised by Prof Simon Luckman and Dr Amy Worth and located on the 2^nd floor of AV Hill. 

My current research focuses on the brainstem neurons that are directly targetted by anti-obesity GLP1 receptor agonists. Particularly, I want to understand how these neurons mediate both the desired and adverse effects of these drugs. A better understanding of these neuronal circuitry can help inform the development of safer and more effective pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases. 

I am usually on campus 9am - 5pm on weekdays.