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Minneapolis VA Health Care System Research Service

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Investigator Profile

Joshua Nixon

Joshua P. Nixon, PhD

Positions
Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Research, Minneapolis VA
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School
Education
BS, PhD Michigan State University
Contact Information
joshua.nixon@va.gov
Research Interests
Dr. Nixon has a a longstanding research interest in neural mechanisms driving behavior and how environmental triggers such as diet can influence these brain systems. Current studies use preclinical models to explore the role of neuroinflammation and microglial response in neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, and interactions with external stressors such as dietary fats. Dr. Nixon has a broad background in behavioral neuroscience, with specific experience and training in circadian biology, obesity and ingestive behavior, neuroprotection, and neurodegenerative disease. His doctoral work examined the link between neuropeptide signaling and patterns of physical activity in a diurnal rodent. As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota and a Career Development awardee at the Minneapolis VA, Dr. Nixon continued to pursue studies of activity and energy expenditure, investigating the effects of supplementing or interfering with peptide signaling in various hypothalamic nuclei to affect weight gain, food intake, and energy expenditure in rodent models of obesity.
Publications
Full bibliography on PubMed
VA Research Topics
Basic Sciences
MeSH Key Words
Orexins; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuroprotection; Obesity; Weight Gain; Energy Metabolism; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Oxidative Stress; Brain; Neurosciences; Dietary Fats
Professional Networking
ORCID | ResearchGate | Google Scholar | Academia.edu
Links
Website
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