Abigail Randolph

Motivation to pursue graduate studies at FSU

During my first year as an undergraduate student at Louisiana State University, I was introduced to Dr. Felitti’s 1998 paper which first demonstrated the connection between early life adverse experiences, such as childhood food insecurity, and poor health outcomes in adulthood. As I spent more time delving into this topic, I found that we have a worrisome lack of understanding of how various early life environments shape development. This ignited a lasting interest in evaluating the impact of early life experiences and environments on development, with a particular interest in investigating how long-term health outcomes are shaped. At FSU, I am focusing on the effect of early life diet on neurodevelopment. Here, I have the privilege of working with and learning from leaders in the field of developmental neuroscience, ingestive behavior, and interoception to address this topic. Along with housing expert faculty, FSU offers countless unique opportunities that allow me to develop my skills as a writer, teacher, and scientific communicator.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Consuming a diet high in fat and sugar, often called a "Western diet," can have serious long-term effects on health and behavior. Even more concerning, when mothers consume this diet during pregnancy and nursing, it can impact their children's long-term health. Of interest, early-life exposure to a Western disrupts development of brain circuits that regulate eating behavior and influence food preference and reward responses. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1), a hormone and neuropeptide, is an important regulator of eating behavior, food preference, and metabolism. While GLP-1 systems appear to adapt to diet changes in adulthood, it is unknown whether early exposure to a Western diet affects their development or their capacity to recover from diet-induced adaptations. I am examining both the acute and persistent effects of early-life Western diet exposure on GLP1 system development and function in rats. My research will provide mechanistic insight into how early dietary experiences shape health later in life.

Career aspirations

Eventually, I hope to establish my own research program at a university, where I can continue conducting important research with real-world implications in a collaborative environment. Importantly, I want to continue mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students as they explore their love for learning and research, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for and uplifting the voices of those who have been historically underrepresented in science.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Take time to reflect on what compels you to pursue graduate education. Graduate school is an opportunity to develop key skills to support your career aspirations, but if you play your cards right, you can find passion in your work. The sheer amount information you absorb in graduate school can be overwhelming, but if you are passionate about your studies, the experience is incredibly rewarding

Accomplishments during graduate career

With the support of excellent mentors, I'm proud to have received fellowships from both the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Serving as a mentor myself, I'm also proud to have guided several undergraduate students in independent research and presenting their findings through poster presentations.