Overview
Over its 16 year history, our laboratory has investigated mechanisms of metabolic regulation and fuel homeostasis in mammalian systems. Major projects include: 1) Mechanisms involved in regulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic islet β-cells by glucose and other metabolic fuels; 2) Development of methods for protection of β-cells against immune-mediated damage; 3) Studies on spatial organization and regulation of systems controlling hepatic glucose balance; 4) Studies on the mechanisms involved in lipid-induced impairment of insulin secretion and action in diabetes.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
W. David and Sarah W. Stedman Distinguished Professor of Nutrition in the School of Medicine
·
2002 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Robert C. Atkins, M.D. and Veronica Atkins Distinguished Professor of Nutrition and Metabolism in the School of Medicine
·
2026 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
·
2002 - Present
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology,
Basic Science Departments
Director, Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center
·
2002 - Present
Sarah Stedman Nutrition & Metabolism Center,
Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
Professor in Medicine
·
2020 - Present
Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition,
Medicine
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2002 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute
·
2009 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Scholarly Works
Metabolomics-guided isolation of myogenic progenitor cells for improved transplantation.
Journal article Am J Physiol Cell Physiol · August 6, 2026 Skeletal muscle maintains considerable capacity for regeneration following injury, but successful regeneration is limited in instances of volumetric muscle loss, advanced aging or muscular dystrophies. Considerable research has been done on muscle stem cel ... Full text Link to item CiteBranched chain amino acid metabolism and microbiome in adolescents with obesity during weight loss therapy.
Journal article J Clin Invest · July 15, 2026 BACKGROUNDObesity and weight loss in adults have been associated with distinct metabolome and gut microbiome features, but the extent to which those associations apply to adolescent stages remain unclear.METHODSThe Pediatric Obesity Microbiome and Metaboli ... Full text Link to item CiteMicrobiotas from extremely preterm infants with growth faltering impair postnatal growth and metabolism in mice.
Journal article JCI Insight · June 23, 2026 Postnatal growth faltering is a pervasive problem among extremely preterm infants that is independently associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. We previously observed that preterm infants with poor postnatal growth have altered development of ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Reductive TCA metabolism in muscle stem cell aging
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031Mechanisms of microbial regulation of postnatal growth and lipid metabolism
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030View All Grants
Education
University of Texas, Dallas ·
1984
Ph.D.