Roger Adan was trained as a molecular neurobiologist and received his PhD in 1992 on the regulation of vasopressin and oxytocin gene expression. Since 2002 he is full professor in molecular pharmacology. Via his work on melanocortin receptors he became an expert in molecular and neural pathways underlying feeding behavior, obesity and eating disorders. His lab has a strong multidisciplinary character. A variety of strategies (pharmacogenetics, viral vector technology, in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and automated behavioral and physiological analysis) is used to unravel mechanism underlying behavior.  The main focus is on feeding, since this is a natural behavior ideally suited to dissect neural circuits that underlie decision making, anxiety, anhedonia, impulsivity and reward seeking.

Personal fellowships and awards

1: NWO-VIDI grant (016.036.322): Role of neuropeptides in disorders of energy balance
2: ZOnMW-TOP grant (40-00812-98-14093): Shining light on loss of control over substance and food intake
3: co-applicant of 4 granted FP7 programs (Nudge-IT, NeuroFast, Full4Health and I.Family)
4: Recipient of the Rudolf Magnus Research Prize 2003
5: Recipient of the Organon prize for pharmacology 2004

Research line

Neural circuits of feeding and related behaviors

1: NWO-VIDI grant (016.036.322): Role of neuropeptides in disorders of energy balance
2: TI pharma grant T5-210 Rapid in vivo CNS drug target validation and therapeutic potential by RNA-interference PI (and co-applicant on 2 other TI pharma grants)
3:co-applicant of 3 granted FP7 programs (NeuroFast, Full4Health and I.Family)
4: Recipient of the Rudolf Magnus Research Prize 2003
5: Recipient of the Organon prize for pharmacology 2004