Prof. Dr. Cristina Garcia Caceres is a renowned Spanish neuroscientist known for her groundbreaking research in obesity and neuroendocrinology. She earned her Ph.D. in Madrid, Spain, and pursued academic internships at Yale University, USA, and Göteborg University, Sweden. Following her doctoral studies, she conducted postdoctoral research at Helmholtz Munich and TUM in Germany. In 2015, she established the Astrocyte-Neuron Network Unit at the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity. Currently, she holds the position of W2 professor at LMU and serves as the Head of Research and Deputy Director at the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity at Helmholtz Munich. For over 16 years, Prof. Dr. Garcia Caceres has focused on understanding how the hypothalamus controls energy balance, particularly through astrocytes. Her research aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms underlying obesity and metabolic disorders. Her pioneering work, awarded with ERC Starting Grant, has shown that the brain's control of energy and glucose metabolism involves astrocytes. By exploring the interactions between neurons, astroglia, and blood vessels, she seeks insights to inform strategies for obesity prevention and treatment, including associated conditions like hypertension. Additionally, her recent research extends to understanding how the brain integrates peripheral endocrine cues into hypothalamic circuits, critical for metabolic adaptation in diet-induced obesity. Overall, her discoveries challenge traditional obesity treatment models and underscore the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in addressing this health issue.
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