Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism

The University of Washington Department of Medicine traditionally has maintained strong research training programs in endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition at each of the three teaching medical centers affiliated with the Medical School. The department accepts postdoctoral trainees (PhDs or MDs) who have a strong interest in basic and/or clinical research and who plan full-time academic careers. In their three years here, MD fellows acquire experience in clinical endocrinology, as well as research training.

The major objective of this research fellowship program is to prepare talented MDs or PhDs for full-time academic careers in endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition.  Fellows are given the opportunity to work with faculty members in a clinical setting, in laboratory research and in the basic sciences at the School of Medicine.  The Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center includes all the affiliated medical centers and provides core facilities for diabetes research.  In addition, the Clinical Research Center provides an opportunity for controlled metabolic studies, and the Diabetes Care Center provides in-depth experience in diabetes management.  A lipid research program makes possible the study of patients with lipid disorders, and a Regional Primate Center, located on campus, facilitates studies in nonhuman primates.  The Population Center facilitates research in reproductive endocrinology; the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit provides opportunities for nutrition-related research and training, and the metabolic bone disease research program provides additional specialized experience.

Our faculty are engaged in a wide variety of research, including:

• Genetics and pathophysiology of lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic and hyperlipidemic states
• Metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity and body weight regulation
• Interaction with lipoproteins with the artery wall in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
• Atherosclerosis in diabetes
• Lipoprotein oxidation and its consequences
• Many facets of the secretion and action of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and other glucoregulatory hormones
• Population studies of Asian and U.S. diabetic people
• Osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease
• Immune mechanisms in the etiology of Type 1 diabetes
• The relationship between metabolic control and diabetic complications (DCCT/EDIC)
• Effect of androgens on behavior, lipids, bone and body composition in men and women
• Changes in androgen levels and physiology during aging in men
• Control of gonadal function in adults
• Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues in contraceptive development and the treatment of prostatic carcinoma
• Human male infertility and the development of effective, reversible male contraceptive agents
• Identification and regulation of the key neuro-hormonal components of weight control, food intake and energy expenditure and their regulation of leptin
• New strategies for the treatment of obesity
• Metabolic syndrome induced by protease inhibitor therapy for HIV infection
• Prevention of coronary heart disease in hyperlipidemic and diabetic subjects and in postmenopausal women
• Pathophysiology and etiology of type 2 diabetes
• Regulation of pancreatic insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin secretion
• Role of neural gut peptides in the regulation of feeding and in body weight
• Catecholamines and stress hyperglycemia
• Immune mechanisms in the etiology of human type 1 diabetes

The Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition has a Section of Clinical Nutrition, through which training is offered in the principles and practice of clinical nutrition, and opportunities are available to perform both clinical and basic research related to nutrition.  The clinical component of this training program consists of participation in the General Metabolism and Endocrinology Continuity Clinic and the rotating clinics in Nutrition and Lipid Disorders; experience with inpatient consultations on disorders of clinical nutrition; and experience with nutritional support.  Ongoing research includes aspects of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, obesity, energy balance, parenteral nutrition and metabolic bone disease.

For additional information, visit the Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition web site. 

PROGRAM DIRECTOR		PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Dace Trence, MD		Hadar Sharvit Duman
Program Director		Fellowship Program Administrator
Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition		Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition
Box 354691		Box 356426
Room C-506B		Room C-506
Phone: 206-598-4882		Phone: 206-543-5453
Fax: 206-598-3781		Fax: 206-685-3781
brunzell@u.washington.edu		hadars@u.washington.edu
Bradley Anawalt, MD
Associate Program Director
Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition
Box 358820
GIMVA
Phone: 206-768-5219
Bradley.Anawalt@va.med.gov