University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · PhysiologyOrexin and Energy Balance Lab
Catherine M Kotz · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Research Focus
Dr. Catherine M Kotz's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how the brain regulates energy balance, particularly after weight loss. They study a neuropeptide called orexin, which is involved in stimulating energy expenditure and physical activity. The lab uses animal models to explore potential therapies that could help people maintain weight loss by minimizing the inherent challenges of sticking to lower body weights.
orexinenergy expenditureweight lossobesitymetabolismneuropeptidesanimal modelscaloric restrictionphysical activityneurobiology
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how orexin agonists affect energy expenditure in obese rodent models.
AIM 02Evaluate the impact of orexin on maintaining weight post weight loss.
AIM 03Analyze mitochondrial respiration in response to orexin treatment.
AIM 04Assess changes in activity-induced energy expenditure through behavioral studies.
AIM 05Study the effects of orexin on sleep/wake patterns to evaluate side effects.
Skills the Lab Values
indirect calorimetryrodent handlingbehavioral analysisinjectionspetri dish cultivationmolecular biology techniquesdata collectionexperimental designfitness assessmentssleep/wake cycle monitoring
Output against the department
Publications150top 50% of dept.142nd of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations10ktop 32% of dept.91st of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.