Lydia Bailey is pursuing a PhD in neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Travis Brown, exploring the complex relationship between exercise and cravings for high-fat foods.
From Beekmantown, New York, Lydia completed her undergraduate studies in her home state at Vassar College, where she double majored in neuroscience and behavior and French and Francophone studies. After graduating, she spent two years at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, where her interest in addiction research took root.
In this Q&A, Lydia discusses her academic path and research, and the collaborative and supportive environment that makes WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine the ideal place for her to thrive.
What inspired you to pursue your graduate studies at WSU?
After I began studying neuroscience at Vassar, I knew I ultimately wanted to work in research and eventually run my own lab. Once I graduated, I worked for two years at the National Institute on Drug Abuse and realized my passion for researching addiction. I knew the neuroscience department at WSU has a large emphasis on addiction research, and after meeting Dr. Brown it was obvious that his research questions would be a great fit, and I could pursue complex techniques such as electrophysiology that would take my career to the next level.
Can you describe your current research and its significance in your field?
My thesis work investigates how exercise influences cravings for high-fat foods. We have shown that exercise after exposure to a high-fat diet significantly reduces cravings for those foods. We are now trying to understand the mechanisms underlying this effect. We hope that by identifying the mechanisms of this effect, we can help develop more effective dieting strategies.
How has your research evolved since you began your graduate studies?
When I first met with Travis, we had a few ideas for the exercise project, mainly looking at whether voluntary exercise after exposure to a high-fat diet can alter cravings for high-fat foods. However, once I started in the lab, he gave me the reins to design almost all of the experiments I am currently working on. We are now investigating not only behavioral changes following a high-fat diet, but changes in neuronal and glial cell activity as well. Our experimental questions are changing constantly and have led us to investigate the effects of the estrous cycle, as well as cognitive flexibility in high-fat diet-fed animals. My project has so many new and exciting paths we could follow, and I still don’t know exactly where it will take us in the next two years, but I know that we will get some really cool science out of it.
What resources or facilities at WSU have been most valuable to your research?
The vivarium and animal care staff are awesome and facilitate our work every day. Our research would not be possible without their hard work. Also, the on-campus veterinarian and their staff have been immensely knowledgeable and are always willing to work with us to ensure the health and safety of our animals.
What role does collaboration play in your research, and how have you worked with other students and faculty?
Collaboration is huge for our department, and our lab specifically. Travis is always chatting with a new person and coming up with new collaborations. So far, I have worked on a paper with Dr. Sorg (WSU) and am currently working on projects with Dr. McLaughlin (WSU), and some collaborators at Stanford. Having the opportunity to work with, and learn from, so many incredible researchers gives us opportunities to learn new techniques, work on multiple projects, and ultimately strengthen the level of science coming out of our lab and department. Right now, our project with Dr. Julie Kauer at Stanford has exposed me to a new type of surgery, training rats to press a lever to receive drugs of abuse, and new electrophysiological techniques. She has been incredible to work with, and I feel like the combined techniques from our two labs will culminate in a high-level paper, which I am very proud to be a part of. I am so grateful to have such a supportive group of faculty and mentors who are always happy to help.
How has your mentor helped you in your journey?
Travis has been an amazing mentor since I started at WSU. He has a unique way of supporting his students yet pushing us to be the absolute best we can be. Travis was one of the main reasons I chose WSU, and I know that his mentorship and teaching will help me reach my career goals in the future.
What are your long-term career goals, and how is your current research helping you achieve them?
After defending my PhD, I would like to go on to a post-doc position and ultimately run my own lab researching potential treatments for addiction. WSU and Travis have been awesome at supporting this, and giving me opportunities to teach, mentor, write, and so many other things while also completing high-level science in the lab every day. Running a lab involves more than just science, and I am thrilled that I get to work on all aspects of my science that I will need in the future.
What has been your favorite thing about WSU and the College of Veterinary Medicine?
The bear center! I am a frequent visitor to the bears, who always seem to make your day better. I also cannot say enough good things about our department, specifically the other graduate students. I have met many lifelong friends here, and I know I will be in touch with a lot of people from WSU for the rest of my life.
What has surprised you the most about WSU and the College of Veterinary Medicine?
The supportive culture here. Coming into graduate school from a fairly competitive college, I was expecting a more cutthroat environment. Everyone I work with, including students and faculty, truly wants to see everyone around them succeed. We are all willing to help each other out, even when we’re competing for the same awards and funding. This atmosphere has made science so much more enjoyable and will make us all more successful in the long run.
What would you say to prospective graduate students considering the College of Veterinary Medicine?
Graduate school is not easy. Finding the right mentor and a good support system is huge, and WSU has some incredible people and faculty who can fill those roles. I am so happy I chose WSU and wouldn’t change my experience for anything.