Rhonda Patrick, previously Rhonda Perciavalle, is an American biochemist and science communicator. Currently a post-doctoral fellow at UCSF-Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, she is known primarily for her studies of the mechanistic link between vitamin D and serotonin production, research that may have important implications for the understanding of autism and other disorders. ^{[5] [8]}

Patrick completed her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego. She did research on aging at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. At the Salk, she investigated what role the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway plays in protein misfolding, which is commonly found in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and was an author on a publication in Science .

In 2012, Patrick completed her Ph.D

in biomedical science from University of Tennessee Health Science Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. ^[12] Her graduate studies investigated the link between mitochondrial metabolism, apoptosis, and cancer. Her thesis research determined that the protein MCL-1 has two distinct mitochondrial localizations, with different functions related to the survival of normal and cancerous cells.

Following Patrick's graduate work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she accepted a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Bruce Ames at UCSF-Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute studying links between vitamin D and serotonin production in the brain. Their research suggests that vitamin D is important in regulating conversion of tryptophan into the neurotransmitter serotonin. ^{[5] [8]} Patrick's work on the role of vitamin D in brain function and behavior, may have implications for fetal brain development and the understanding of autism and other disorders. ^[5] Patrick is now involved in research at Children’s Hospital Oakland to more broadly examine the effects of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids on metabolism, inflammation, and aging.

In 2014, Patrick debuted her own podcast called FoundMyFitness where she interviews scientists, authors, and other experts, as well as posting general scientific and health related information. Topics include the role of micronutrient deficiencies in diseases of aging, the impact of genetics and nutrients on health, and benefits of exposing the body to hormetic stressors including exercise, fasting, heat and cold. She also discusses the importance of mindfulness, stress reduction, and sleep.

Patrick has been featured in: The Boston Globe , ^[8] The Telegraph , the CBC documentary The Nature of Things , The San Francisco Chronicle , Fox 5 San Diego , ABC 7 San Francisco , The Daily Californian , Ocala Star-Banner , Fox News , Whole Foods Magazine , Daily News and Analysis , Pourquoi Docteur, Zero Hora ClicRBS, and top 50 podcasts like the Joe Rogan Experience and the Tim Ferriss Show .