Biography
Dr. Lauren Raycraft earned an Honors Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with minors in Nutritional Science, Gender Studies, Health Promotion, and Bioethics, from Michigan State University in 2016. She then completed a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA, where she worked to increase access to post-secondary education for underserved youth in rural America. She returned to Michigan State University in 2017 to complete her Masters and PhD in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience). Her dissertation work examined the role of lateral hypothalamic feeding neurons and ovarian hormones in the coordination of timedependent food seeking behavior. More broadly, Lauren is interested in the influence of diet on the brain and behavior, as well as how food policies and environments contribute to individual well-being or, conversely, malnutrition. In the Ferrario Lab, Lauren is looking forward to studying corticostriatal and behavioral changes induced by exposure to a junk food diet. Outside of research, Lauren enjoys spending time outdoors, running, and horseback riding.