DERC RESARCH BASE/MEMBERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
NAME
DEPARTMENT
EMAIL ADDRESS
RESEARCH FOCUS
Kristi S. Anseth, PhD
Department of Chemical &
Biological Engineering
Kristi.Anseth@Colorado.edu
Research is in developing biomaterials niches for 3D cell
culture to promote cell function and growth (regenerating
islets) and avoidance of cell death from cytokine and
cellular immune attack.
Richard Benninger, PhD
Department of
Bioengineering and
Department of Pediatrics
Richard.Benninger@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is applying new microscopy techniques
to islet biology and biophysics and to discovering new
properties of the islet that may be clinically important.
Bryan Bergman, PhD
Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism and Diabetes
Bryan.Bergman@ucdenver.edu
Research investigates the relationship between
intramuscular lipids and insulin sensitivity.
Susan A. Boackle, MD
Division of Rheumatology
Susan.Boackle@ucdenver.edu
Research interest is in the pathogenesis of autoimmune
diseases; current focus is primarily on the role of the B
cell complement receptor, CR2 (CD21), in tolerance and
autoimmune disease in humans and murine models.
John Cambier, PhD
Chairman, Integrated
Department of Immunology
cambierj@njhealth.org
Primary interests are in molecular mechanisms of
silencing autoreactive B cells, which prevent their
participation in immune responses to infectious agents
that carry cross-reactive antigenic epitopes.
H. Peter Chase, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center,
Pediatric Clinic
Peter.Chase@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on continuous glucose monitoring in
youth with T1D.
Dana M. Dabelea, MD,
PhD
Colorado School of Public
Health
And
Department of
Epidemiology
Dana.Dabelea@ucdenver.edu
Research interest is the understanding of the complex
and multifactor etiology of pediatric diabetes; both type 1
and type 2, with a goal of reducing, delaying and
preventing its occurrence and burden.
Stephen Daniels, MD
Chair, Department of
Pediatrics
Daniels.stephen@tchden.org
Research is in the causes of blood pressure elevation
and cholesterol abnormalities in children and
adolescents, particularly the role that obesity may play in
these health issues.
Howard Davidson,
Bsc, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
And
Integrated Department of
Immunology
Howard.Davidson@ucdenver.edu
The principal goal of current research is to develop
improved methods for measuring autoimmunity in type
1A diabetes, and novel therapeutic agents to prevent or
ameliorate established disease.
Boris Draznin, MD,
PhD
Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism & Diabetes
Boris.Draznin@ucdenver.edu
Basic research focuses on the mechanisms of insulin
action.
Robert H. Eckel, MD
Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism & Diabetes
and
Division of Cardiology
Robert.Eckel@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the relationship between
nutrition, insulin action, energy balance and body weight
regulation with experiments carried out in both humans
and mice.
George S. Eisenbarth,
MD, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Executive Director
and
Integrated Department of
Immunology
george.eisenbarth@ucdenver.edu
Research interest is the prediction and prevention of type
1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus including studies
of the immunogenetics of type 1 diabetes, focusing on
the activation and natural history of specific patterns of
autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals.
Pamela Fain, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
Pam.fain@ucdenver.edu
Studies focus on the genetics of complex diseases,
primarily through use of genetic linkage and association
and other population and quantitative genetics analyses.
Rosanna V. FialloScharer MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
Rosanna.FialloScharer@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on continuous glucose monitoring
and genetics of type 1 diabetes.
Friedman, Jacob, NMI,
MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Department of Biochemistry
& Molecular Genetics
Jed.Friedman@ucdenver.edu
Research focuses on the role of adipose-derived
inflammatory cytokines and mechanisms for skeletal
muscle and adipose tissue insulin resistance in human
Gestational Diabetes and the role of nutrients on fetal
adiposity.
Satish Garg, MD
Department of Pediatrics.
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
Satish.Garg@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is on renal and retinal complications of
Type I diabetes, early detection of disease and the
benefits of medical intervention.
Roberto Gianani, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
Roberto.Gianani@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the study of islet development
and the pathology of the pancreas in individuals with islet
autoimmunity or chronic pancreatitis.
Ronald G. Gill, PhD
Department of Surgery &
Scientific,
Director Colorado Center
for Transplantation Care
Ronald.Gill@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the nature of immune-mediated
injury to tissue and organ transplants, primarily in
pancreatic islet transplantation as a treatment for insulindependent diabetes.
Peter Gottlieb, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
Peter.Gottlieb@ucdenver.edu
Research examines the role of T cells, B lymphocytes,
putative autoantigens and innate immune system in the
development of human type 1 diabetes.
Kathryn Haskins, PhD
Integrated Department of
Immunology
Katie.Haskins@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the mechanisms and regulation
of pathogenesis in the NOD mouse model of T1D.
William Hay, Jr., MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Neonatal/Perinatal
Bill.Hay@ucdenver.edu
Study is focused on the metabolic regulation of placental
and fetal metabolism, focusing on the effects of fetal
glucose supply on fetal metabolism.
James O. Hill, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Nutrition and Center for
Human Nutrition
James.Hill@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the etiology, prevention and
treatment of obesity, and the prevention of obesityassociated co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes.
Michael V. Holers, MD
Division of Rheumatology
Michael.Holers@ucdenver.edu
Basic and translational research on the roles of
complement receptors and membrane regulatory proteins
in the immune response, with a special emphasis on B
lymphocytes and autoimmune diseases.
Dirk Homann, MD
Department of
Anesthesiology, Director of
Immunological Research
Dirk.Homann@ucdenver.edu
Research is centered on the role of chemokines at large
in T1D pathogenesis and islet allograft rejection.
John C. Hutton, PhD
Department of Pediatrics
and
Department of Cellular &
Structural Biology
John.Hutton@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the molecular cell biology of
insulin secretion and the biochemical composition and
the process of biogenesis of the insulin granule.
Richard J. Johnson, MD,
FACP
Division of Renal Diseases
& Hypertension
Richard.Johnson@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the pathogenesis of progressive
renal disease, with particular emphasis on the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy,
hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
John W. Kappler, PhD
Integrated Department of
Immunology
kapplerj@njhealth.org
Current studies are on interactions between helper T
cells and B cells and include experiments on antigen
recognition by T cells, and biochemical studies on the
interactions between T cell receptors, superantigens and
complexes of MHC and peptide.
Karen B. King, PhD
Department of Orthopedics,
Director Molecular Biology
Laboratory
Karen.King@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on identifying the metabolic
consequences of hyperglycemia for bone and cartilage.
Georgeanna
Klingensmith, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center,
Clinical Division
Georgeanna.Klingensmith@ucden
ver.edu
Research is focused on TrialNet and JDRF studies
evaluating agents that may alter the rate of progression
of islet cell destruction in children with newly diagnosed
type I diabetes and the development of islet cell
autoimmunity in genetically high-risk young children.
Uday B. Kompella, PhD
School of Pharmacy,
Department of
Pharmaceutical Sciences &
Department of
Ophthalmology
Uday.Kompella@ucdenver.edu
Research interest in nanotechnology for drug delivery,
gene delivery, and imaging with a focus on ocular drug
delivery, specifically treating vascular and inflammatory
disorders of the eye including diabetic retinopathy and
wet macular degeneration.
Moshe Levi, MD
Division of Renal Diseases
& Hypertension
Moshe.Levi@ucdenver.edu
Studies focus on the role of altered lipid metabolism in
the pathogenesis of diabetic renal disease and vascular
atherosclerosis and calcification.
Edwin Liu, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Gastroenterology
Edwin.Liu@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on understanding the link between
celiac disease autoimmunity in children and type 1
diabetes, particularly as it is associated with islet
autoimmunity.
David Maahs, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
David.Maahs@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is on the prevention of complications in
persons with diabetes mellitus.
Aaron W. Michels, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Clinical Division
Aaron.Michels@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is to understand the molecular anatomy
of MHC class II antigen presentation to T cells involved in
autoimmune disorders with the ultimate goal of
developing specific therapies to stop the underlying
autoimmunity of type 1 diabetes.
Kristine Nadeau, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Endocrinology & Growth
Kristine.Nadeau@ucdenver.edu
Research interests involve the mechanisms of insulin
resistance in pediatric type 1 and type 2 diabetes,
including the role of muscle and liver ectopic lipid
deposition and mitochondrial dysfunction, hyperglycemia,
dyslipidemia and pubertal hormones.
Takahiko Nakagawa, MD,
PhD
Division of Renal Diseases
& Hypertension
Takahiko.Nakagawa@ucdenver.e
du
Research is focused on the mechanisms involved in the
development of diabetic nephropathy.
Maki Nakayama, MD,
PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
Maki.Nakayama@ucdenver.edu
Research is directed at diabetic autoimmunity in
particular the insulin peptide B:9-23.
Jill Norris, PhD
Colorado School of Public
Health
and
Department of
Epidemiology
Jill.Norris@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is on epidemiology of Type 1 Diabetes
with a particular focus on the impact of nutrition on the
immune system; the genetic epidemiology of Type 1 and
Type 2 Diabetes; and the epidemiology of Rheumatoid
Arthritis. Recent work has demonstrated a protective
effect of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
Amy Palmer, PhD
Department of Chemistry
and Biochemistry
Amy.Palmer@Colorado.edu
Research interest is to elucidate how cells maintain their
critical balance of metal ions and the mechanisms by
which metal dyshomeostasis lead to disease.
Subbiah Pugazhenthi,
PhD
Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism and Diabetes
Subbiah.Pugazhenti@ucdenver.ed
u
Research focus is transcriptional regulation of
cytoprotective genes in pancreatic beta cells and
hippocampal neurons.
Jane Reusch, MD
Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism and Diabetes
Jane.Reusch@ucdenver.edu
Laboratory's thematic hypothesis: Diabetes leads to an
inappropriate regulation of CREB, which contributes to
diabetic complications by loss of differentiation,
promotion of apoptosis and ineffective metabolic
adaptation.
Marian Rewers, MD, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
Marian.Rewers@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is in the area of etiology and
epidemiology of type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance and
cardiovascular complications of both type 1 and 2
diabetes.
Paul Rozance, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Neonatal/Perinatal
Paul.Rozance@ucdenver.edu
Research is on the impact of fetal nutrient and growth
restriction on the function and development of the
endocrine pancreas and other organs.
Suparna Sarkar, MBBS,
PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
Suparna.Sarkar@ucdenver.edu
Research is how soluble mediators secreted from T cells
such as cytokines, including IL1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ,
chemokines, nitric oxide and oxygen free radicals impair
beta cell function and subsequently cause beta cell
destruction. Investigative tools include microarray
analyses combined with advanced microscopic imaging.
Irene Schauer, MD, PhD
Division of Endocrinology,
Metabolism & Diabetes
Irene.Schauer@ucdenver.edu
Research focuses on CVD in T1DM and the associated
risk factors that apply in the general, to develop a clearer
understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of
insulin resistance in T1D, and finally to take this
understanding “to the bedside” in order to achieve
improved management of T1D.
Janet Snell-Bergeon,
MPH, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
Janet.SnellBergeon@ucdenver.edu
Research is focused on the complications of diabetes in
adolescents and adults, with an emphasis on
cardiovascular disease, gender differences in coronary
artery disease risk, and renal complications.
Richard A. Spritz, MD
Director of Human Medical
Genetics Program
Richard.Spritz@ucdenver.edu
Studies are focused on autoimmune diseases such as
generalized vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disease, and
birth defects such as cleft lip/palate.
Andrea Steck, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Clinical Division
Andrea.Steck@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is in the area of genetics, epidemiology
and prevention of type 1 diabetes.
R. Paul Wadwa, MD
Department of Pediatrics
Clinical Division
Paul.Wadwa@ucdenver.edu
Resarch is on determinants of macrovascular disease in
adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
David H. Wagner, PhD
Webb-Waring Center
David.Wagner@ucdenver.edu
Research seeks to determine how auto-aggressive or
"self reactive" T cells cause autoimmune diseases such
as Type 1 (juvenile) Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis
(MS).
Janet M. Wenzlau, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
Janet.Wenzlau@ucdenver.edu
Research focused on the analysis of humoral
autoimmune responses in Type 1 Diabetes, particularly
zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) that is a major target for
autoantibodies in ~70% of newly diagnosed T1D
patients.
Philip Zeitler, MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Endocrinology-Genops
Phil.Zeitler@ucdenver.edu
Research focus is on T2D in adolescents and obesity
and familial clustering of risk factors.
Danny Zipris, PhD
Department of Pediatrics,
Barbara Davis Center
Research Division
Danny.Zipris@ucdenver.edu
Research goal is to understand how virus infection leads
to type 1 diabetes (T1D) in genetically susceptible
individuals.