Dr. Kanter’s research focuses on understanding how diabetes accelerates cardiovascular and kidney complications, with an emphasis on how metabolic dysfunction alters immune cell and proximal tubule biology to promote inflammation and tissue injury. The laboratory combines human studies with mechanistic models to identify molecular pathways linking dyslipidemia, immune activation, and organ damage. A central goal is to uncover shared metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms that drive diabetic complications and to explore strategies for targeted intervention.
Jenny Kanter, PhD
Email: jenka@uw.edu
Research Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition
Jenny Kanter, Ph.D., is a faculty member in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on understanding how diabetes accelerates cardiovascular and kidney complications, with an emphasis on how metabolic dysfunction alters immune cell biology and promotes inflammation. Dr. Kanter received her Ph.D. from the University of Washington, where she studied mechanisms of myeloid cell-mediated inflammation in type 1 diabetes. She then completed postdoctoral training at Novo Nordisk A/S through the STAR program, investigating how insulin signaling regulates lipid metabolism and vascular inflammation in obesity and diabetes. Her laboratory now integrates human translational studies with mechanistic experiments to define immune-metabolic pathways that drive diabetic complications. Dr. Kanter is also committed to mentoring trainees and leads several training initiatives focused on diabetes and metabolic disease research.
Complete list of published work.
Research Interests
How can this research help people with diabetes?
Understanding the molecular mechanisms whereby diabetes results in complications is key in the development of new and targeted therapies.