Pilot and Feasibility Investigators

Investigator Project Dates Pilot and Feasibility Project Title
Stuart Chipkin 1992-1993 Obesity and insulin resistance in adipose
Nawfal Istfan, MD, PhD 1992-1993 Nutrient partitioning and insulin resistance in obesity
Kathleen Kelly 1992-1994 Signal transduction in adipocytes
Donald Miller 1992-1994 Long term health impact of body weight change
Aviva Must, PhD 1992-1993 Jump start: a program to prevent obesity in low income children and families
Susan Roberts, PhD 1992-1994 Dietary fat-genotype interactions in energy balance
Van Cherington 1993-1995 Non-receptor tyrosine kinase activity during adipose differentiation
Bradford Lowell, PhD 1993-1995 Targeted disruption of the Beta3-andrenergic receptor gene
Avron Spiro III, PhD 1993-1995 Health effects of weight changes in adult males
Karen Strehlow 1993-1994 Sympathetic function in obesity
Vildan Civelek, PhD 1994-1996 Mechanism of intracellular pH change as indicator of early postreceptor insulin signaling
Kathleen Cook 1994-1996 Developmental and physiological mechanisms for regulation of mRNA stability in adipocytes
Robert Frederich 1994-1996 Initial characterization, physiology and pathology of the ob/ob gene product
Andrew Greenberg, MD 1994-1996 Molecular and nutritional regulation of the perilipins
Eleftheria Maratos-Flier 1994-1996 Identification of novel hypothalamic genes that are
differentially regulated in rodent obesity
Jacqueline Stephens 1994-1995 The identification of cytosolic kinases involved in the signal transduction of TNF-induced insulin resistance in murine adipocytes
Steven Grinspoon 1995-1997 Physiologic effects of IGF-1 in anorexia nervosa
James Hamilton, PhD 1995-1997 Fatty acid incorporation into adipocytes: nuclear magnetic resonance studies
Konstantin Kandror, PhD 1995-1997 GLUT4-containing vesicles: new proteins-new functions?
James Kirkland, MD, PhD 1995-1997 Effects of aging on rat preadipocyte function
Vedrana Susulic 1995-1996 Identification of nutritionally responsive cis-regulatory elements within the obese gene
Jesse C. Chow, PhD 1996-1997 Leptin receptor signaling in normal rats in vivo
Mary-Elizabeth Patti, MD 1996-1997 Role of amino acids in the induction of cellular insulin resistance
Evan Dale Abel, MD, PhD 1996-1998 Analysis of the impact of adipose tissue glucose transport on body weight, nutrient partitioning and glucose tolerance
Anthony Hollenberg, MD 1996-1998 Functional antagonism between C/EBP and PPAR on the leptin promoter
Wen Guo, PhD 1997-1999 Effects of Exogenous Lipids on Fat Cell Metabolism
Jim Xiao, PhD 1997-1999 Role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in differentiation of preadipocytes with aging
Rupert Yip, PhD 1997-1999 The role of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in fat metabolism
Zhijun Luo, PhD 1998-2000 Role of MAPK family downstream of TNFa-receptor in insulin resistance
Christos Mantzoros, MD 1998-2000 Role of leptin in the neuroendocrine response to fasting
Megan McCrory, PhD 1998-2000 Evaluation of the BOD POD air displacement plethysmograph for measuring body composition of obese and elderly subjects
Ron Morrison, PhD 1998-2000 Molecular mechanisms contributing to the balance of adipocyte growth and differentiation
Edward Saltzman, MD 1998-2002 Feasibility of low and moderate intensity interventions to prevent weight gain in adults
Dr. Antonio Vidal-Puig 1998-2000 Functional characterization of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) using adenoviral mediated gene transfer
Dr. S. Bryn Austin 1999-2002 Assessment of environmental influences on diet, dieting, and physical activity in middle schools: A pilot instrument development project
Young-Bum Kim, PhD 1999-2001 Signaling pathways mediating the effects of leptin on fat metabolism in muscle and adipose tissue
Tatyana Kupriyanova, PhD 1999-2001 Isolation and identification of novel proteins in Glut4-vesicles
David Ludwig, MD 1999-2001 Dietary glycemic index and diabetes
Karen Miller, MD 1999-2001 Effects of dietary fat on leptin and menstrual function
Eric Rimm, ScD 1999-2002 Effects of dietary and lifestyle characteristics on soluble tumor necrosis factor-receptors (sTNF-R) and IL-6 concentrations
Nicholas Tritos, MD, DSc 1999-2001 Characterization of the role of melanin concentrating hormone in glucose homeostasis employing a knockout and a transgenic model
Jude Deeney, PhD 2001-2003 Lipid distribution in clonal pancreatic beta-cells studied with fluorescent fatty acids
Deborah Good, PhD 2001-2003 Gene regulatory events mediating adult body weight control
Jianrong Han 2002-2004 A new mechanism for adipocyte hyperplasia: fatty acids stimulates preadipocyte proliferation
Lora Heisler, PhD 2001-2003 Central melanocortin and serotonergic systems: potential target pathways for obesity
Frank Hu, MD, MPH, PhD 2001-2003 Longitudinal analysis of dietary factors and childhood obesity in China
Jeffrey Lemmer 2001-2002 Effect of sarcopenia on body composition and energy expenditure response to progressive resistance training
Christina Wee, MD, MPH 2001-2003 Quantifying how much patients value weight loss
Janice Zabolotny, PhD 2001-2003 Role of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B in leptin and insulin action in hypothalamus
Hui Hong Zhang, PhD 2003-2005 The domains and mechanisms by which perilipin A modulate lipase actions on lipolysis
Dr. Nina Balthasar 2003-2005 Assessing the physiological function of melanocortin-4-receptors (MC4R) in specific brain areas using a re-activatable MC4R null allele
Simin Liu, MD, ScD 2003-2005 Glycemic load, insulin sensitivity and plasma inflammatory markers in Type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, controlled, crossover trial
Carine Lenders, MD, MS, ScD 2003-2005 A multicenter randomized, placebo controlled, double blind trial of metformin in obese adolescents: characterization of amino acids
Iphigenia Tzameli, PhD 2003-2005 Identification of endogenous PPARg ligands during an early phase of adipocyte differentiation
Kendra Bence, PhD 2003-2005 Role of tyrosine phosphates in CNS control of energy balance
Harveen Dhillon, PhD 2004-2006 VMH: A critical site in BW regulation of leptin
Adam Kennedy, PhD 2004-2006 The molecular mechanism of ketogenic diet in the treatment of obesity
Lori Pbert, PhD 2004-2006 Feasibility and structure of a systems-based intervention to prevent and treat obesity
Pavlos Pissios, PhD 2004-2006 Generation of conditionally immortalized cell lines expressing melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH)
Diane Song, PhD 2004-2006 Characterization of GIP signaling in adipocytes
Gordon Yaney, PhD 2004-2005 Beta-cell hypersecretion seen in obesity: Alteration of the fatty acid incretin effect?
Jeffrey Zigman, MD, PhD 2004-2006 Selective expression of the ghrelin receptor (GHSR) within the arcuate nucleus
R. Wesley Farris II, MD 2005-2007 The Role of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme in Obesity and Metabolism
Erin Kershaw, MD 2005-2007 Regulation of Adipose Triglyceride Lipase (ATGL) by Insulin, TNF alpha, and PPAR gamma
Keith Tornheim, PhD 2005-2007 Phosphofructokinase-M and adipose mass
Yu-Hua Tseng, PhD 2005-2007 Role of BMPs on determination of brown vs. white adipocyte differentiation
Ouliana Ziouzenkova, PhD 2005-2007 Studies on Retinaldehyde Functions in Adipogenesis
Caroline M. Apovian, MD 2006-2008 Use of MCT Oil for Enhancement of Weight Loss and Glycemic Control in Obese Diabetic Patients
Michael Badman, MD, PhD 2006-2009 Determination of the physiological role and Metabolic Effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21
Katherine Strissel, PhD 2006-2008 Do infiltrating macrophages have a role in adipose tissue remodeling in obesity?
Rob M. van Dam, PhD 2006-2009 Effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on body weight and glucose tolerance
Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD 2007-2009 Modulation of the dorsolateral prefontal cortex with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in obesity
Bruce Bailey, PhD 2007-2009 The influence of active gaming on energy expenditure and time spent in moderate to vigorous activity in overweight adolescents
Jamie Bodenlos, PhD 2007-2008 Effect of acute VNS on consumption and preferences for sweets in depressed adults
Jody Dushay, MD 2007-2009 Potential regulation of FGF-21 by fasting and diet-induced ketosis in healthy adults
Efi Kokkotou, MD, PhD, DSC 2007-2009 Mechanisms of substance P effects on metabolism
Madhusmita Misra, MD, MPH 2007-2010 Neuroendocrine modulation of metabolic effects in overweight adolescent girls
Sherry Pagoto, PhD 2007-2009 The role of stress in insulin resistance following bariatric surgery
Libin Liu, PhD 2007-2009 The Role of Cavin/PTRF in Caveolae
Lu Qi, MD, PhD 2007-2009 Genome-Wide Association Based Scan for Abdominal Obesity Genes in Humans
Nicholas Stylopoulos, MD 2008-2009 Effects of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass on Diet Induced Thermogenesis in Mice
Qingchun Tong, PhD 2007-2009 To Determine the Function of GABA Release from Agrp Neurons
Aaron Cypess, MD, PhD 2008-2009 Characterizing murine and human brown adipose tissue via PET/CT
Giulio Romeo, MD 2008-2009 Effects of profilin-1 in diet-induced obesity and adipose inflammation correlation with vascular outcomes
Jess Haines, PhD, MHSc, RD 2008-2009 Maternal influences on adolescent weight and weight-related behaviors
Mark Herman, MD 2008-2009 The role of adipose tissue carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) in adipose tissue glucose metabolism and glucose homeostasis
Jongsoon Lee, PhD 2008-2009 The role of circulating monocytes in the development of obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance
Yiqing Song, MD, ScD 2008-2009 Interrelationship of circulating levels of vitamin D, adiposity, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes in postmenopausal women
Qi Sun, MD, ScD 2008-2009 Obesity, physical activity, and successful aging
Thien Tran, PhD 2008-2009 Identification of novel secretory proteins from subcutaneous fat that improve metabolism
Raphael Zoeller, PhD 2008-2009 Use of a lipogenic mutant to investigate a novel link between carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
Hideo Makimura, MD, PhD 2010-2012 The Effects of a Novel GH Releasing Factor on Mitochondrial Function
Vishwajeet Puri, PhD 2010-2012 Role of FSP27 in fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity
Lisa Quintiliani, PhD, RD 2010-2012 A computer-based cue system for motivational interviewing counseling
Vetrivelan Ramalingam, PhD 2010-2012 Sleep loss and circadian dysregulation – important risk factors for obesity and diabetes mellitus
Zhao Xu, PhD 2010-2012 The role of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) in adipogenesis
Sudha Biddinger, MD, PhD 2011-2012 Novel mechanisms by which insulin regulates the LDL receptor
Nicolas M. Oreskovic, MD, MPH 2011-2013 Use of GPS to Map Racial Variations in Adolescent Use of Space for Physical Activity
Linh Vong, PhD 2011-2012 Leptin Action on GABAergic Neurons
Heather J. Baer, ScD 2011-2013 Development of Tools within Electronic Health Records to Address Overweight and Obesity
Barbara Nikolajczyk, PhD 2011-2013 The Role of T cells in the Transition to Type 2 Diabetes
Elaine W. Yu, MD 2011-2013 Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Bone Health
Katya Ravid, DSc, PhD 2011-2013 The A2b adenosine receptor as regulator of type II diabetes
Fang Fang Zhang, MD, PhD 2011-2013 Obesity Among ALL Survivors: Preliminary Investigation of Diet and Energy Balance
Qin Yang, MD, PhD 2011-2013 Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) in obesity and insulin resistance
Dong Kong, PhD 2012-2014 Ghrelin, Dendritic Spines, and Synaptic Regulation of AgRP Neurons
Matthew Layne, PhD 2012-2014 Role of ACLP in adipocyte determination and fibrosis
Tamar Rose Aprahamian, PhD 2012-2014 Angiogenic potential and thermogenic response of brown adipose tissue
Miguel Alonso-Alonso, MD, MPhil 2012-2015 Neuroband: The effect of perioperative enhancement of the brain circuit of inhibitory control in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic
adjustable gastric banding
Valentina Perissi, PhD 2012-2014 Ubiquitin regulation of PPARgamma-mediated transcription
Elizabeth A. Lawson, MD 2012-2015 The effect of intranasal oxytocin on caloric intake in obese men
Mark Andermann, PhD 2013-2015 Effects of ghrelin receptor expression in cognitive brain areas on attention to food-associated cues
Marc Liesa-Roig, PhD 2013-2015 A novel antioxidant pathway in beta cell function and dysfunction
John C. Yoon, MD, PhD 2013-2015 Effects of inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway on diet-induced myosteatosis
Sara Folta, PhD 2013-2015 Preliminary Investigation of Civic Engagement as a Novel Approach to Behavior Change and Body Weight Improvement in African American Females
Kristy Townsend, PhD 2013-2015 Novel Role for Hemojuvelin in Brown Adipocyte Energy Expenditure
Peter J. Turnbaugh, PhD 2013-2014 Gut microbial promotion of energy gain from processed diets
Xaralabos Varelas, PhD 2013-2015 Roles of the Hippo pathway effectors Taz/Yap in mesenchymal stem cell fate specification
Gulcin Pekkurnaz, PhD 2014-2016 O-GlcNAcylation: A Glucose Sensing Pathway for Mitochondria and Energy Homeostasis
Ying Bao, MD, ScD 2014-2016 Nut consumption, adiposity signals, and cardiometabolic risk
Xinghui Sun, PhD 2014-2016 MicroRNA-181b, insulin resistance, and vascular injury
Maria Dafne Cardamone, PhD 2015-2017 Role of NEURL4 in the regulation of Mitochondrial Function
Peter James, ScD 2015-2019 Integrating mHealth Approaches to Assess Contextual Exposures, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Obesity in a Prospective Cohort Study
Elvira Isganaitis, MD, MPH 2015-2017 Mesenchymal stem cell fate and adipocyte function in mother-to-child transmission of obesity risk
John N. Campbell, PhD 2017-2018 Novel arcuate neuron types that relay leptin signaling to the melanocortin satiety circuit
Sylvia Ley, PhD, RD 2017 Anti-inflammatory diet and gene expression on type 2 diabetes progression in overweight/obese adult
Xuehong Zhang, MD, ScD 2017-2018 Characterizing the Role of Obesity in Bladder Cancer Progression in Two Large Prospective Cohorts
Amar Dhand, MD DPhil 2018-2019 Study of social networks and their inter-relations with diet, physical activity, and obesity
Laura E. Dichtel, MD, MHS 2018-2019 The Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Axis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Jennifer Lee, PhD 2018-2019 Molecular Basis for Enteroendocrine Cell Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes
Tracey Simon, MD 2018-2019 Insulinogenic and Inflammatory Dietary Factors and Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Yoav Livneh, PhD 2018-2020 Convergent and divergent coding in insular cortex and amygdala across hunger and thirst
Hyun Cheol Roh, PhD 2018-2019 Epigenetic mechanisms that control adipocyte cellular identity during obesity
Linus Tsai MD, PhD 2018-2020 Role of Pars Tuberalis in Energy Homeostasis
Franziska Plessow, PhD 2019-2021 Sustained oxytocin administration, cognitive control, and reward responsiveness in human obesity
Jun Li, MD PhD 2018-2021 Chronic Inflammation and Obesity: Genetic Susceptibility and the Role of Diet
Melanie Schorr Haines, MD 2019-2021 Effects of exercise on circulating myokine levels in insulin-resistant vs insulin-sensitive adults with overweight/obesity
Sarah Lessard, PhD 2019-2021 Impact of Western Diet on the molecular and physiological response to exercise
Dong Wang, MB, MS, ScD 2019-2021 Mediterranean Diet, Gut Microbiome and Cardiac Structure and Function
Hassan Dashti, PhD, RD 2021 Phenome-wide interactions between obesity genetic risk and lifestyle traits in an electronic health record biobank
Andrew Lutas, PhD 2021 Peptidergic control of the motivation to eat via presynaptic modulation
Natalia Machado, MS, PhD 2021-2022 A master switch in the regulation of body temperature and metabolic rate
Danielle Haslam, PhD 2021-2022 Multi-omic signatures of sugar and artificially-sweetened beverages and changes in body weight
Clemens Wittenbecher, PhD 2021-2022 Metabolomics profiles’ 10-year changes linking diet, obesity and genetics to subsequent T2D risk
Frankie Heyward, PhD 2022 Determining the Direct Transcriptional Targets of IRF3 in AgRP Neurons
Donato Rivas, PhD 2022 Impact of adipocyte-derived miRNA on age-associated metabolic capacity and muscle atrophy