My name is Brittany Larsen. I am currently a third-year Doctor of Philosophy student studying neuroscience with prior educational background in health promotion sciences, addiction science, and dietetics. My core research interests include the investigation of underlying neurobiological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease as well as the influences of adiposity and metabolic dysfunction on the structure and function of the brain and Alzheimer's disease risk. I have previously worked as a Clinical Dietitian in a critical access hospital for approximately 2.5 years, during which time I first became aware of the prevailing myriad gaps in knowledge within the nutrition field. This revelation ignited my aspiration to become a scientist. Consequently, I resigned from my position to attend graduate school in 2016, initially enrolling in a Doctor of Philosophy program in health promotion sciences.
During this time, however, my primary passion began to shift from nutrition to neuroscience, which was especially amplified after I took my first behavioral neuroscience course. The complexity of the field in combination with the prevailing, surprisingly marginal understanding of the brain drove my ambition to acquire the skill set necessary to conduct research and aid in the expansion of the neuroscience knowledgebase. I, therefore, opted to graduate from the health promotion sciences program with a Master of Science degree and instead enroll in a Doctor of Philosophy program in neuroscience in 2019. In spite of my nutrition-based educational background and work experience, my current neuroscience program has enabled me to incorporate my previously acquired skill set into my current research. My career path has led me to reside in multiple different states across the country. My most recent move was from Connecticut to start the doctoral program in Iowa. Outside of the research world, some of my favorite personal hobbies include traveling and extreme sports.
Experience
2022–present
Instructor or Record in Human Physiology Laboratory, Iowa State University
2019–2021
Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University
2021–2021
Graduate Teaching Assistant in Human Physiology Laboratory in Systems Neuroscience: Brain, Behavior, and Nutrition-Related Integrative Physiology, Iowa State University
2019–2019
Graduate Teaching Assistant in Food Service Systems Practicum I, University of Connecticut
2017–2019
Instructor of Record for Writing for Allied Health Research, University of Connecticut
2018–2018
Graduate Teaching Assistant in Food Service Systems Management II, University of Connecticut
2016–2018
Graduate Research Assistant II, University of Connecticut
2017–2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant in Interdisciplinary Approach to Obesity Prevention, University of Connecticut
2016–2016
Instructor of Record for Writing for Allied Health Research, University of Connecticut
Education
2023
Iowa State University, Doctor of Philosophy / Neuroscience
2019
University of Connecticut, Master of Science / Health Promotion Sciences
2013
McNeese State University, Master of Science / Nutrition
2012
South Dakota State University, Bachelor of Science / Dietetics
Publications
2022
Beer, wine, and spirits differentially influence body composition in older adults - a UK Biobank study, https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.598
2021
APOE, TOMM40, and sex interactions on neural network connectivity, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.020
2021
Inflammation, negative affect, and amyloid burden in Alzheimer's disease: Insights from the kynurenine pathway, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.019
2021
Using machine learning to predict COVID-19 infection and severity risk among 4,510 aged adults: a UK Biobank cohort study, https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.09.20127092
2020
CSF glucose tracks regional tau progression based on Alzheimer's disease risk factors, https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12080
2020
Walking in the Light: How History of Physical Activity, Sunlight, and Vitamin D Account for Body Fat-A UK Biobank Study, https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22852
2020
Genetic Factors of Alzheimer's Disease Modulate How Diet is Associated with Long-Term Cognitive Trajectories: A UK Biobank Study, https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-201058
2019
Heightened olfactory dysfunction and oral irritation among chronic smokers and heightened propylthiouracil (PROP) bitterness among menthol smokers, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.12.017
2019
Modeling Associations between Chemosensation, Liking for Fats and Sweets, Dietary Behaviors and Body Mass Index in Chronic Smokers, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020271
Professional Memberships
Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society
Society for Neuroscience
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Honor Society
National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society