The effect of environmental influences and stresses, both naturally occurring and anthropogenic, on the physiological functions of organisms is the general focus of my research. My interests are on the actions of hormones, diets, and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) on neurophysiological functions that are controlled by the hypothalamus including energy balance, thermoregulation, stress, and reproduction. My goal is for a greater understanding of the interaction between estrogen signaling, neuroendocrine functions, maternal and adult diets, and EDCs on homeostatic functions controlled by the hypothalamus and other brain regions. To address these questions, we use a range of molecular, cellular, electrophysiological, and whole-animal physiological and behavioral techniques. Currently, my research areas are: 1) Sex variability in the response to chronic stressors in corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)/factor (CRF) neurons of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and their subsequent involvement in mood-associated behaviors in mice. 2) The effects of adult and maternal exposures to EDCs (flame-retardants, bisphenols, PFOA) on the hypothalamic neuronal activity, behavior, stress response, and metabolism. 3) The interactions of estrogens, dietary fatty acids, and age in the health of the gut-microbiome in female mice. 4) Development and use of relevant preclinical models of gender-affirming hormone therapy to improve clinical care for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people.

Recent Publications

1. Wiersielis, K., Yasrebi, A., Degroat, T.J., Knox, N., Rojas, C., Feltri, S., and Roepke, T.A. Intermittent fasting disrupts hippocampal dependent memory and norepinephrine content in aged male and female mice. Physiology and Behavior 275:114431.
2. Degroat, T.J., Wiersielis, K., Yasrebi, A., Kodahli, S., Daisey, S., Denney, K., Tollkuhn, J., Samuels, B.A., and Roepke, T.A. Chronic stress and its effects on behavior, RNA expression of the bed nucleus of the stria terminals, the M-current of NPY neurons. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 161:106920.
3. Yasrebi, A., Regan, D., and Roepke, T.A. The Influence of Estrogen Response Element ERa Signaling in the Control of Feeding Behaviors in Male and Female Mice. Steroids, 195:109228.
4. Sui, K., Yasrebi, A., Longoria, C., MacDonell, A.T., Martinez, S.A., Jaffri, H., Fisher, S.E., Malonza, N., Jung, K., Tveter, K.M., Wiersielis, K.R., Shapses, S.A., Campbell, S.C., Roepke, T.A., and Roopchand, D.E. 2023. Coconut oil saturated fatty acids improved energy homeostasis but not blood pressure or cognition in VCD-treated mice. Endocrinology, 164(3): bqad001.
5. Conde, K., Kulyk, D., Vanschaik, A., Daisey, S., Rojas, C. Weirsielis, K., Degroat, T.J., Sun, Y., and Roepke, T.A. Deletion of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in kisspeptin neurons in female mice blocks diet-induced obesity. Biomolecules, 12(10):1370.
6. Vail, G.M., Walley, S.N., Yasrebi, A., Maeng, A., Degroat, T.J., Conde, K.M., and Roepke, T.A. Implications of estrogen receptor a (ERa) with the intersection of organophosphate flame retardants and diet-induced obesity in adult mice. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A., 85(10):398-413.
7. Vail, G.M., Walley, S.N., Yasrebi, A., Maeng, A., Degroat, T.J., Conde, K.M., and Roepke, T.A. Implications of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg) with the intersection of organophosphate flame retardants and diet-induced obesity in adult mice. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A., 85(9):381-396.
8. Wiersielis, K., Yasrebi, A., Ramirez, P., Verpeut, J., Regan, D., & Roepke, T.A. The influence of estrogen receptor α signaling independent of the estrogen response element on avoidance behavior, social interactions, and palatable ingestive behavior. Hormones and Behavior, 136:105084.
9. Walley, S.N., Krumm, E.A., Yasrebi, A., Kwiecinski, J., Baker, C., and Roepke, T.A. Maternal organophosphate flame-retardant exposure alters offspring metabolism in a sexually-dimorphic manner in mice. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 41(4):572-586.
10. Walley, S.N., Krumm, E.A., Yasrebi, A., O’Leary, S., Tillery, T., and Roepke, T.A. Maternal organophosphate flame-retardant exposure alters offspring feeding, locomotor, and exploratory behaviors in a sexually-dimorphic manner. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 41(3):442-457.
11. Vail, G.M., and Roepke, T.A. Organophosphate flame retardants excite arcuate melanocortin circuitry and increase sensitivity to ghrelin in adult mice. Endocrinology, 161(11):bqaa168.
12. Vail, G.M., Yasrebi, A., Maeng, A., Walley, S.N., Conde, K., and Roepke, T.A. The interactions of diet-induced obesity and OPFR exposure on energy homeostasis in adult male and female mice. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 83(11-12):438-455.
13. Wiersielis, K.R, Adams, S., Yasrebi, A., Conde, K., & Roepke, T.A. Maternal exposure to organophosphate flame-retardants alters locomotor and anxiety-like behavior in male and female adult offspring. Hormones and Behavior, 122:104759.
14. Adams, S., Wiersielis, K.R, Yasrebi, A., Conde, K., Armstrong, L., Guo, G.L., and Roepke, T.A. Sex- and age-dependent effects of maternal organophosphate flame-retardant exposure on neonatal hypothalamic and hepatic gene expression. Reproductive Toxicology, 94:65-74.

View Dr. Roepke’s Additional Publications