Rate My Professor Mohammed Rizwan

Dr. Mohammed Rizwan serves as a Research Fellow in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, at the University of Otago. He earned his BSc, Diploma in Graduate Science (DipGradSci), and Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) from the University of Otago, along with a PhD. His primary research interests lie in the neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating body weight and glucose homeostasis. Specifically, Rizwan investigates the development of leptin resistance in response to high-fat diets and the identification of neuronal pathways that govern energy balance and glycemic control. As part of the Tups Laboratory and in collaboration with Professor David Grattan's group at the Centre for Neuroendocrinology, he contributes to advancing understanding of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Rizwan has an extensive publication record in leading journals, demonstrating his impact in neuroendocrinology. Among his highly cited works are "Cells expressing RFamide-related peptide-1/3, the mammalian gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone orthologs, are not hypophysiotropic neuroendocrine neurons in the rat" published in Endocrinology in 2009, "RFamide-related peptide-3 receptor gene expression in GnRH and kisspeptin neurons and GnRH-dependent mechanism of action" in Endocrinology in 2012, and "Central and peripheral effects of RFamide-related peptide-3 on luteinizing hormone and prolactin secretion in rats" in Endocrinology in 2009. Additional key publications include "Hyperleptinemia as a contributing factor for the impairment of glucose intolerance in obesity" in The FASEB Journal in 2021, "RFamide-related peptide neurons modulate reproductive function and stress responses" in Journal of Neuroscience in 2021, and his most recent paper "Conditional deletion of β-catenin in the mediobasal hypothalamus impairs adaptive energy expenditure in response to high fat diet and exacerbates diet-induced obesity" in Journal of Neuroscience in 2024. Rizwan actively disseminates his research through conference presentations, including verbal presentations at the 18th New Zealand Medical Sciences Congress in 2024 and the Maurice Wilkins Centre Research Symposium in 2025. His work elucidates critical pathways linking nutrition, reproduction, and metabolism, influencing ongoing research into metabolic diseases.