Tomás Cabeza de Baca, Ph.D.
Professional Experience
- Associate Scientist, NIH/NIDDK, Phoenix Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch, Obesity & Diabetes Clinical Research Section, 2024-present
- Staff Scientist, NIH/NIDDK, Phoenix Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch, Obesity & Diabetes Clinical Research Section, 2020-2024
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, 2016-2018
- NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellow, Health Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, 2014-2016
- M.S. and Ph.D. Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona, 2014
- B.A. Psychology, University of Texas at El Paso, 2007
Research Goal
My long-term goal is to disentangle the interplay between psychosocial, ecological, and physiological factors on metabolic functioning and energy intake/expenditure to identify and target individuals most in need of intervention.
Current Research
I am an associate scientist at the Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section of the Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestion and Kidney Disease (NIDDK). Given that context and early experiences play a unique role in development and health, an individual’s ability to function in unpredictable and uncontrollable environments may help explain how current life stressors modify energy allocation and functioning of the metabolic system. As such, my clinical research at the NIDDK incorporates contextual and psychosocial factors in the examination of energy intake, energy expenditure, and metabolic functioning. I am PI on a study protocol that examines the impact of both caloric intake and macronutrient content on energy expenditure. I am also PI on a new study protocol that will examine the impact of perceptions of unpredictability on objective measures of eating. Current projects include delineating the underlying metabolic and hormonal profiles of individuals with food insecurity, compared to food secure individuals. I am also involved in two systematic reviews and meta-analyses: (1) determines the impact of Respiratory Quotient on subsequent weight gain and (2) examines the relationship between perceptions of unpredictability on disordered eating.
Research Focused on Health Disparities
Obesity and diabetes disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Given past research indicating these groups are also disproportionately exposed to greater adversity and psychosocial stress, we are interested in examining the impact of adversity on the calibration of metabolic systems in adulthood. Current projects include an examination of perceptions of unpredictability on objective measures of eating and metabolism.
Select Publications
- Acid accumulation is associated with metabolic alterations; higher energy, fat, and protein intake; and energy expenditure.
- Treviño-Alvarez AM, Cabeza de Baca T, Stinson EJ, Gluck ME, Piaggi P, Votruba SB, Krakoff J, Chang DC.
- Obesity (Silver Spring) (2024 Aug) 32:1541-1550. Abstract/Full Text
- Adipocyte size, adipose tissue calories, and circulating adipokines, before and after diet-induced weight loss in humans.
- Cabeza de Baca T, Parrington S, Votruba S, Piaggi P, Krakoff J, Chang DC.
- Endocrine (2024 May) 84:490-499. Abstract/Full Text
Research in Plain Language
Obesity and its underlying cardiometabolic complications afflict approximately 20 million individuals residing in the United States. The quality of life, health care costs and loss of economic productivity add an unduly burden at the individual- and population-level. As such, the work in our unit seeks to understand the impact of psychosocial and physiological factors on food intake, energy expenditure, and weight gain. By understanding the interplay of these important factors, we ultimately hope to inform interventions that will target populations most at risk.