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Kara Wegermann

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Gastroenterology

Overview


My research focuses on genetic predictors of progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). I have investigated predictors of clinical progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using the Duke NAFLD clinical database and biorepository. I find the genetic and modifiable risk factors for liver disease fascinating, particularly because of the potential for clinical intervention before cirrhosis or HCC are established.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor of Medicine · 2024 - Present Medicine, Gastroenterology, Medicine

Recent Publications


Perplexing Severe Cholestasis in the Postpartum Period.

Journal Article ACG Case Rep J · May 2026 A 36-year-old postpartum woman with prior intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and gallstone pancreatitis presented with right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes. Initial workup suggested drug-induced liver injury, but laboratory re ... Full text Link to item Cite

Metabolic markers of kidney function and oxidative stress are associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Journal Article Metabolomics · April 29, 2026 BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), independent of shared risk factors. The aim of this study was to discover metabolic pathways ass ... Full text Link to item Cite

When to Consider AIH-PBC OverlapSyndrome in the Pathology Report.

Journal Article Am J Surg Pathol · April 15, 2026 Autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cholangitis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome remains a diagnostic challenge due to the absence of standardized criteria and the limitations of current frameworks, such as the Paris Criteria. In this retrospective study, we re ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


The Southeastern Liver Health Cohort Study

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by North Carolina State University · 2023 - 2027

Prediction and Prevention of Hepatic Decompensation in Patients with Cirrhosis

Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2021 - 2026

View All Grants

Education


Harvard Medical School · 2014 M.D.