Henryk Urbanski, Ph.D., D.Sc. is a professor in the Divisions of Neuroscience and Reproductive & Developmental Sciences at ONPRC and in the Department of Behavioral Neuroscience at OHSU.

Research in Dr. Urbanski's laboratory is focused on two major hypothalamic neural circuits: (1) those responsible for maintaining rhythmic biological functions (e.g., circadian hormone rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle), and (2) those responsible for maintaining normal reproductive function (e.g., puberty, ovulation, and menopause). His primary goal is to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie these physiological functions, and to understand how they are influenced by various hormones and by changes in the external environment.

Members of Dr. Urbanski's laboratory team are using a variety of techniques to investigate how sleep-wake cycles and reproductive physiology are influenced by factors such as day-length, diet, age and sex-steroids. They are also examining the underlying genetic and neuroendocrine mechanisms.

Dr. Urbanski's hope is that a deeper understanding of plasticity within hypothalamic neuroendocrine circuits will lead to the development of effective therapies for various human physiological disorders, especially those associated with the onset of puberty and menopause, as well as those associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).