Research Laboratories

The Cirulli laboratory is committed to understanding mechanisms of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in pancreatic islet cell development and function.

The Crisa laboratory seeks to understand the basic mechanisms by which blood vessels and myeloid immune cells may drive growth and regeneration of pancreatic islets during development and in diabetes.

The den Hartigh laboratory is dedicated to understanding the impact of fatty acids and inflammatory mediators on adipocyte biology during the development of obesity and subsequent weight loss.

The Dorfman laboratory investigates the protective role of sex steroids in hypothalamic inflammation and obesity.

The Heinecke is dedicated to understanding the structure and function of HDL (good cholesterol), and to predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients and other subjects at high risk of atherosclerosis.

The Hull laboratory investigates the critical role of the islet in diabetes pathogenesis, and how novel aspects of the islet milieu contribute to failure of the islet β cell.

Our research involves both basic and clinical investigation and is focused on furthering our understanding of the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and related disorders.

The Kanter laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms that result in complications of diabetes.

The Kim laboratory focuses on nitric oxide (NO), a crucial molecule involved in maintaining vascular homeostasis.

The Morton laboratory examines the role of the brain in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism and how defects in this control system may contribute to the development of obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes.

The Page laboratory is dedicated to developing the first hormonal form of contraception for men.

The Scarlett laboratory investigates the mechanisms whereby FGF1 action in the brain induces sustained remission of diabetic hyperglycemia.

The Schur laboratory seeks to understand how the brain regulates appetite. In humans, social, psychological, physiologic, and other factors influence appetite and food intake.

The Schwartz laboratory investigates the role of the brain in the control of both energy balance and blood glucose levels with a focus on how defects in these systems contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes.

The Shao laboratory is dedicated to understanding the pathways for the generation of dysfunctional HDL and the roles of dysfunctional HDL in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases in humans.

The Sweet laboratory investigates regulation and impairment of insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes; pancreatic beta cell death; metabolic basis of inflammation and T cell calcium metabolism in type 1 diabetes.

The Thaler laboratory seeks to discover new brain-based treatments for obesity and diabetes.

The focus of the lab is on understanding molecular mechanisms by which lipoproteins contribute to development and progression of heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. To facilitate these studies, we apply state-of-the-art quantitative mass spectrometry techniques to blood, CSF, cells and tissues.

The Valencia laboratory is dedicated to understanding the relationship between mitochondria and nutritional stressors in the context of metabolic disease.