Duke Gut–Brain Scientist Dr. Diego Bohórquez Visits O’Neal
On Tuesday, January 20, O’Neal’s Upper School biology students welcomed Dr. Diego Bohórquez—an internationally recognized gut–brain neuroscientist and Associate Professor of Medicine and Neurobiology at Duke University—for an engaging, real‑world look at how the body senses food and how those signals shape behavior.
Dr. Bohórquez’s research explores how the brain interprets what the gut “feels,” how nutrients in the intestine are detected, and how those sensory cues are converted into rapid electrical signals that can influence appetite, decision‑making, mood, and motivation. Students learned how this emerging field is transforming the way scientists think about digestion—not simply as a process of breaking down food, but as a sophisticated sensory system that communicates with the brain in real time.
A Pioneer in an Emerging Field
Dr. Bohórquez shared the story behind his team’s groundbreaking work identifying synapse‑like connections in specialized gut cells known as neuropod cells, a discovery that helped reveal a sensory circuit in the gut comparable to taste perception on the tongue. He also highlighted later advances demonstrating that these gut cells can connect directly with vagal neurons, enabling signals from nutrients to reach the brain in milliseconds.
Building on those findings, Dr. Bohórquez described how his lab’s research has offered new insight into how animals distinguish sugar from artificial sweeteners, and why the gut plays a key role in food preference and consumption. These discoveries are helping scientists better understand the biological pathways that influence eating behaviors and how visceral sensations can shape our daily choices.
Student Questions Drive Deeper Discussion
Following the talk, students participated in a lively Q&A that extended into topics such as:
- how the gut differentiates between sugars and sweeteners,
- how gut‑brain signaling relates to hunger and satiety,
- the role of microbes in communicating with the nervous system, and
- how specific nutrients—including protein and amino acids—may influence appetite regulation and food selection.
Dr. Bohórquez also encouraged students to think about the connection between scientific curiosity and personal discipline—emphasizing how consistent effort and follow‑through can open unexpected doors in academics and beyond.
Evening Community Event at BPAC
In addition to meeting with students during the school day, Dr. Bohórquez was featured as a guest speaker for the broader community on the evening of January 20 at BPAC, as part of the Ruth Pauley Speaker event series.
Two Upper School students, Hannah Wilcox '28 and Zoe Mount '28 were identified as Lyceum Scholars and attended a dinner with Ruth Pauley Series speaker Dr. Diego Bohórquez.
Two Upper School students, Hannah Wilcox '28 and Zoe Mount '28 were identified as Lyceum Scholars and attended a dinner with Ruth Pauley Series speaker Dr. Diego Bohórquez.
National Recognition
In 2025, Dr. Bohórquez received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest U.S. government honor for outstanding early‑career researchers—recognition that reflects both the impact and promise of his work in gut–brain biology.
O’Neal is grateful to Dr. Bohórquez for sharing his time and expertise, and for giving students a front‑row seat to science that is shaping the future of health and human behavior.
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