Gupta Lab
Researching the bidirectional interactions between the brain and the gut in shaping health and disease


About Us
Dr. Gupta’s research aims to bring a systems biology-based, comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology underlying human obesity and the cluster of obesity-related conditions known as metabolic syndrome.
Sex and Race Differences
One barrier to progress in developing effective treatments for obesity may be the inconsistent consideration of sex and race differences in the underlying mechanisms.


Environmental Influences
Psychosocial, cultural and environmental challenges, such as adverse childhood experiences, acculturation, neighborhood safety, family environment, and socioeconomic status heighten stress-related biological and behavioral pathways that increase the vulnerability to disease-promoting behaviors.
Latest News

Men and women have different obesity drivers, pointing to the need for tailored interventions
A new study from UCLA researchers finds sex-specific brain signals that appear to confirm that different drivers lead men and women to develop obesity.

The association between disadvantaged neighborhoods and cortical microstructure and their relation to obesity
According to newly published research in Nature, living in a disadvantaged neighborhood can affect food choices, weight gain and even the microstructure of the brain.

Everyday experiences of racism can impact your brain-gut microbiome
It’s been proven that experiencing systematic racism negatively affects one’s mental health. But it can also lead to diseases associated with inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune inflammatory disease, according a recent study published in Biological Psychiatry.