Dr. Stephen Woods is a distinguished neuroendocrinologist and a leading authority in obesity research with a career spanning over five decades. He currently holds the position of Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and serves as Director of the Obesity Research Center at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Woods received his foundational education at the University of Washington, earning dual bachelor's degrees in Zoology (1965) and Psychology (1966), followed by a Ph.D. in both Psychology and Physiology and Biophysics (1970). His early career included a Fellowship in Endocrinology at the Seattle Veterans Administration Hospital from 1970 to 1972, establishing the groundwork for his lifelong investigation into the neural mechanisms of energy homeostasis.
Dr. Woods' groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of the central nervous system's role in regulating food intake and energy balance, with numerous publications in high-impact journals including Science Translational Medicine. His work has been instrumental in establishing the neurobiological framework for understanding how the brain integrates metabolic signals to control feeding behavior and body weight. As principal investigator of the NIH-funded Training Program in Neuroendocrinology of Homeostasis (2013-2018), he has significantly contributed to elucidating the complex interactions between the brain and peripheral metabolic organs. His research has direct clinical relevance to obesity and diabetes, conditions affecting millions worldwide, with his findings informing new approaches to metabolic disease treatment and prevention.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Woods has been instrumental in shaping the field through his leadership roles, including serving on the Obesity Advisory Committee of Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati Long-Range Research Planning Committee. He has been a frequent ad hoc reviewer for multiple National Institutes of Health study sections, contributing his expertise to the advancement of biomedical research funding decisions nationwide. His mentorship of numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows has cultivated the next generation of researchers in neuroendocrinology and obesity science. As Director of the Obesity Research Center, Dr. Woods continues to guide strategic research directions that bridge basic science discoveries with clinical applications, maintaining his commitment to addressing the global obesity epidemic through rigorous scientific inquiry.
