University of California-Davis · BiologyHavel Metabolism Lab
Peter J Havel · Davis, California
Research Focus
Dr. Peter Havel's research lab focuses on understanding how metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Using a nonhuman primate model, the lab studies the impact of a high-sugar diet on brain health, particularly examining hormones, inflammation, and neural circuits involved in memory and behavior. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that link metabolic dysfunction and neurodegeneration to inform better treatments for these interconnected health issues.
metabolic syndromeinsulin resistanceAlzheimer's diseasehigh sugar dietneuroinflammationnonhuman primate modelneuropathologyvascular healthbehavioral assessmentbiochemical analysis
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how a high sugar diet induces Alzheimer's disease-like pathology in nonhuman primates.
AIM 02Examine the relationship between metabolic dysfunction and neurological health over one year.
AIM 03Assess the impact of insulin resistance on brain function and vascular health in primates.
AIM 04Explore the biochemical and cellular changes resulting from metabolic disorders in relation to dementia.
AIM 05Develop innovative strategies to mitigate the effects of metabolic syndrome on cognitive decline.
Skills the Lab Values
advanced imaging (MRI and PET)immunochemical assaysbiochemical assaysproteomicstranscriptomicsmouse modelscell cultureWestern blotbehavioral testingmetabolic assessment
Output against the department
Publications469top 9% of dept.91st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations30ktop 11% of dept.116th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.