Inbal Shainer
Inbal is investigating how our eating behaviors have strayed from their natural cycle
- Age: 31
- Field: Neurobiology
- Lives in: Tel Aviv
- In a relationship
My Research: The mechanisms that connect eating behaviors with the day-night cycle
The Cycle of Life: Organisms in nature are adapted to the earth’s day-night cycle, and that adaptation is expressed, among other things, in cyclical eating behaviors. Modern life and working hours mean being awake (and eating) at times that do not correspond with the natural day-night cycle, which can lead to an elevated risk of diabetes, weight gain and other metabolic problems. Understanding the connection between the day-night cycle and the mechanisms controlling eating behavior could help mitigate these risks. In our lab, we are researching a gene we found in the brain of zebrafish that we think will help explain this connection.
“As a child, I was already curious about nature and science: How does the body work? How are we different from other creatures?”
Nature’s Secrets: I grew up in the town of Binyamina, as the youngest of four children. My parents’ home had a big yard where we raised chickens, ducks, sheep, dogs and cats. As a child, I was already curious about nature and science, and when I studied biology in high school, my interest grew. Over the last few years, I dealt with body and health issues when I became ill with an autoimmune disease. With hard work and patience, I was able to restore my body’s health, and I even ran a half-marathon.
Revolving Doors: The more I immerse myself in my research, the more questions arise. I hope to spend my future as a researcher, always looking for answers.
Inbal is a PhD student at the Department of Neurobiology at the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences.