Research

RESEARCH: Endocrinology & Metabolism

Highlight: Understanding the Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance

Faculty members currently have over 25 NIH R01 or foundation grants. Faculty with labs conducting basic and/or clinical research include:

Eugene Barrett, MD, PhD – insulin action and how it is altered by insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes mellitus
Robert Carey, MD – hormonal control of blood pressure and hypertension
Ayotunde Dokun, MD, PhD – diabetes and peripheral arterial disease
Leon Farhy, PhD – regulation of pancreatic hormone secretions
Susanna Keller, MD – insulin signaling and insulin-regulated membrane trafficking
Zhenqi Liu, MD – insulin’s vascular action and its relation to insulin’s metabolic action and cardiovascular complications of diabetes
John Marshall, MD, PhD – polycystic ovary syndrome and GnRH pulsatility
Anthony McCall, MD, PhD – brain metabolism, hypoglycemia, diabetes and the nervous system, mathematical analysis of glycemic patterns, glucagon pulsatile secretion and hypoglycemia.
Christopher McCartney, MD – causes of abnormal GnRH pulses and abnormal gonadotropin secretion in adolescent and adult polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)
Craig Nunemaker, PhD – islet inflammation and diabetes
Shetal Padia, MD – obesity and hypertension
Richard Santen, MD – estrogen and breast cancer
Margaret Shupnik, PhD – hormonal regulation of gene expression and influence on physiological and pathophysiological processes
Helmy Siragy, MD – biology and pathophysiology of angiotensin subtype receptors in cardiovascular system
Michael Thorner, MBBS, DSc – regulation of ghrelin secretion and neuroendocrinology

Highlight: On the Frontier of Diabetes Research

Faculty Awards

In 2013, Craig Nunemaker received an R&D award from the UVA School of Medicine, with matching funds from the Division, for his project, “STEAP4 at the interface of metabolism and inflammation in diabetes”; the award was created to support investigators in developing new research areas. Richard Santen received an R01 grant for his project, “Development of breast cancer risk model based on estrogen metabolomics,” and an investigator-initiated research grant from Pfizer for “CEE/BZA TSEC and Breast Cancer.”

Research Centers

Endocrine-related research centers with key leadership from division faculty include:

The Diabetes Center: Eugene Barrett, director

Core laboratories: Assay Core; Genomics Core; Clinical Translational Science Core
research in pancreatic islet biology and genetics, control of plasma glucose in clinical environment, insulin action and resistance, diabetes complications

Center for Diabetes Technology: Stacey Anderson, medical director

directs artificial pancreas studies at UVA

Center for Research in Reproduction: John Marshall, director

particular focus on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
funded by NIH U54 Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction Research.

Ligand Assay & Analysis Core: Daniel Haisenleder, director

Virginia Center for Diabetes Professional Education: Anthony McCall, medical director

Reflecting shifting priorities in federal funding, the division will begin placing greater emphasis in the future on clinical and translational research, particularly in diabetes, hypertension and reproductive endocrinology.