The brain plays a central role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and regulating aging, and dysfunction in these processes contributes to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, as well as many age-related disorders. Our lab studies how the brain communicates with the body to regulate metabolism and aging. We seek to define how specific genes, cell types, and neural circuits integrate metabolic signals to maintain homeostasis, and how disruptions in these processes drive metabolic disease and age-related health decline. Using single-cell multi-omics, functional genetics, and molecular and systems neuroscience approaches, our previous research has uncovered novel cell populations and molecular pathways that are critical for energy balance regulation. Leveraging these state-of-the-art techniques and developing innovative tools, our research bridges molecular and cellular mechanisms with systems-level neural circuit function, linking these processes to behavior and whole-body physiology. Through this integrative framework, we aim to uncover fundamental principles of brain–body communication and identify key cellular and molecular nodes that can be targeted to improve metabolic health and promote healthy aging.