Dr. Lance Kriegsfeld

Biography

Lance Kriegsfeld is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on behavioral neuroendocrinology, circadian biology, reproductive behavior physiology, seasonality, photoperiodism, behavioral genetics, and behavioral neuroscience. He aims to understand the genetic, cellular, and hormonal mechanisms responsible for the temporal control of motivated behaviors underlying physiology, particularly how the circadian system coordinates various neural and peripheral processes to maintain homeostasis and promote optimal psychological and physiological functioning. His work addresses fundamental questions regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in generating circadian rhythms within the mammalian brain clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus, and how this clock communicates timing information to the rest of the brain and body. Kriegsfeld's laboratory investigates the timing of reproductive cycles in response to seasonal changes, focusing on the neuroendocrine pathways that translate day length into physiological changes. He encourages graduate students to explore individual research lines within this framework, fostering active collaborations with other laboratories in the psychology and neuroscience departments.

Research Interests