Pediatric Endocrinology Research
Faculty
Abigail Fruzza, M.D. - PubMed
Dr. Fruzza's subspecialty training included stem cell research and treatment for diabetes mellitus.
Nicole Glaser, M.D. - PubMed
Dr. Glaser's research is focused on pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Specifically, she has been studying the cause and treatment of a serious complication of DKA, cerebral edema. Both animal and human studies utilize MRI technologies to assess brain metabolism, perfusion, and edema formation. In addition, she investigates methods for improving blood glucose control in children with diabetes.
Lindsey Loomba-Albrecht, M.D. - Pubmed
Dr. Loomba-Albrecht is active in research looking into how family functioning affects blood sugar control in children with type 1 diabetes. This is part of a larger effort -- the UC Davis pediatric diabetes clinic as a whole is wholeheartedly committed to improving care for diabetic children. She is also active in pediatric resident educational efforts and medical student teaching.
Dennis Styne, M.D. - Pubmed
Dr. Styne conducts clinical research on childhood obesity. Using activity, education, and pharmaceutical therapy, he studies children in his Fit-Kid Weight Management Clinic, evaluating the best methods of assessment and treatment of obesity and its co-morbidities. He also has an outreach program to Northern California Indian Rancherias that combines education for local health care workers and telehealth communication between the UC Davis Medical Center-based children's weight management team and the families. Additional research involves improving therapies for disorders of pubertal development and growth, the effect on traumatic brain injury on hypothalamic pituitary function, and the effects of endocrine disruptors.
Craig Warden, Ph.D. - PubMed
Dr. Warden uses molecular genetics techniques in mouse models to study the impact of natural genetic variants on obesity and on response to diet and exercise. He has identified a protein that alters levels of hypothalamic alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a natural food intake inhibitor. This protein is a potential drug target because inhibitors decrease hunger. He also studies whether some people are genetically programmed to fail to maintain weight loss following gastric bypass surgery.