My lab’s research is aimed at understanding the hormonal and neuroanatomical basis for eating behavior. To that end, we have mainly concentrated on the peptide hormone ghrelin. With the use of several novel and established behavioral models and genetically-modified mouse models, we have helped establish intact ghrelin signaling as a critical component for both reward-seeking behaviors aimed at obtaining fatty foods and antidepressant-like behaviors following either chronic stress or caloric restriction. Ongoing studies are aimed at further elucidating the central and peripheral sites mediating ghrelin’s actions on homeostatic eating, reward-based eating, stress-based eating, energy expenditure, mood and blood glucose control. Another focus of our studies is the ghrelin cell itself, and in particular, the mechanisms controlling the biosynthesis, processing and secretion of ghrelin and the relationship of ghrelin cells to other enteroendocrine cells dispersed along the gastrointestinal tract. My current clinical practice focuses on management of individuals with thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. I have played an active role in establishing this clinic as a place where patients with thyroid nodules can receive “one-stop shopping” in terms of the initial evaluation and long-term management of their nodular thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. I have had the good fortune of being able to incorporate bedside thyroid ultrasounds and bedside ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations into initial and follow-up patient clinic visits.My current clinical practice focuses on management of individuals with thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. I have played an active role in establishing this clinic as a place where patients with thyroid nodules can receive “one-stop shopping” in terms of the initial evaluation and long-term management of their nodular thyroid disease or thyroid cancer. I have had the good fortune of being able to incorporate bedside thyroid ultrasounds and bedside ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations into initial and follow-up patient clinic visits.