Program Enrichment

Dr. Ruiz obtained a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Behavioral Neuroscience and a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He has a longstanding interest in studying the neuroendocrine processes that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism.

During his postdoctoral tenure at Mount Sinai, Dr. Ruiz’s work shed light on the neuropathological link between obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, particularly focusing on hypothalamic insulin resistance. While at the New York University (NYU), his contributions led to the discovery that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in adipose tissue likely evolved as a lipid-hoarding mechanism to protect against famine. In modern times, with excess nutrient availability, this mechanism now promotes obesity. He was then promoted to Research Assistant Professor and led projects that established a causal link between AGEs and insulin resistance in key metabolic organs, including the brain.

As a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Dr. Ruiz’s NIH-funded research uses a novel cellular model of obesity, which he developed by genetically manipulating adipocyte expression of the Zinc Finger Protein 949. His work aims to understand the cellular processes driving adipocyte enlargement due to increased lipid accumulation, a hallmark of obesity, and the role of AGEs in this process. In the long term, Dr. Ruiz seeks to assess the therapeutic potential of neutralizing AGEs in the context of obesity, cardiovascular disease (specifically atherosclerosis), and Alzheimer’s disease. He looks forward to advancing the field’s understanding of these diseases and inspiring the next generation of thinkers.