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Elmquist Lab

The Elmquist laboratory uses mouse genetics to identify circuits in the nervous system that regulate energy balance and glucose homeostasis. We have developed unique mouse models allowing neuron-specific manipulation of genes regulating these processes. These tools are now widely used in metabolism and neuroscience research including hundreds of laboratories around the world. 

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Current projects include:

The role of hypothalamic neurons in the beneficial metabolic effects of exercise

The role of the melanocortin system in glucose homeostasis and inflammation

The role of the vagus nerve in regulating hepatic metabolism

The identification of neuronal pathways and mechanisms regulating energy balance in Drosophila  and C. elegans

Elmquist Lab

Details about Our Research

Using mouse genetics, the Elmquist lab has identified sites in the nervous system through which leptin acts to exert its anti-obesity and anti-diabetic actions. We have also studied the role of the central melanocortin system in regulating hepatic insulin sensitivity, glucose production, food intake, energy expenditure and the browning of white adipose tissues. We recently have developed an invertebrate neurobiology program to identify novel molecular pathways in the nervous system regulating metabolism.  Finally, we have an expanding program in autonomic neuroscience including investigating the role alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in brain and key metabolic tissues. 

Current Lab Members

LUIS LEON MERCADO, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Surbhi gahlot, Ph.d.

Assistant Instructor

STEVEN WYLER, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Syann Lee, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

LARA BIDEYAN, PH.D.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Warda Merchant

Research Technician II

Jasmine dushime

Research Technician II

Roger Fan, M.D.

Pulmonary and Critical Care Research Fellow

Jonathan Tao

Medical Student

RYAN REYNOLDS

Graduate Student

arely tinajero

Senior Veterinary Technician

Former Lab Members

Monica Espinoza
Titular Professor Researcher
Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico

Virginie Aubert
Assistant Professor
Loyola University Chicago

Eric Berglund
Assistant Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Angie Bookout
Obesity Project Scientist
Novo Nordisk

Michael Burton
Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Dallas

Alexandre Caron
Assistant Professor
Laval University

Carlos  Castorena
Obesity Project Scientist
Novo Nordisk Research Center

Xiuli Chang
Associate Professor
Fudan University

Kimberly Cox
Visiting Assistant Professor
Randolph-Macon College

Huxing Cui
Assistant Professor
University of Iowa

Heather Dungan Lemko
Assistant Professor
Howard Community College

Carol Elias
Professor
University of Michigan

Manuel Ferreira
Associate Professor
University of Washington

Teppei Fujikawa
Assistant Professor
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

Makoto Fukuda
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine

Hisayuki Funahashi
Associate Professor
Showa University School of Medicine, Japan

Laurent Gautron
Assistant Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Lora Heisler
Professor and Endowed Chair
University of Aberdeen, UK

Jennifer Hill
Associate Professor
University of Toledo

Henne Holstege
Assistant Professor
Amsterdam Universitair Medisch, Netherlands

Masumi Ichinose
Assistant Professor
Shiga University School of Medicine, Japan

Christopher Javadi
General Surgeon
California

Lin Jia
Assistant Professor
UT Dallas           

Juli Jones
Director, Head of Pharmacology
Cyclerion

Ki Woo Kim
Associate Professor
Yonsei University College of Dentistry, South Korea

Toshiri Kishi
Associate Professor
Shimane University School of Medicine

Daisuke Kohno
Assistant Professor
Gunma University, Japan

Sjoukje Kuipers
Advisor
University of Bergen, Norway

Jennifer Lachey
Chief Scientific Officer
Keros Therapeutics

Syann Lee
Assistant Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Jiwon Lee
Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, South Korea

Tiemin Liu
Professor
Fudan University

Chen Liu
Assistant Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Caleb Lord
Human Safety Scientist
Syngenta

Jacob Marcus
Principal Scientist
Merck Research Laboratories

Natalie Michael
Assistant Professor
Laval University

Yoshihiko Nakano
Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Japan

Kae Oka
Fukuoka, Japan

Jari Rossi
Medical Advisor
Bayer

Michael Scott
Associate Professor
University of Virginia

Jong-Woo Sohn
Associate Professor
KAIST, South Korea

Hideyuki Sone
Professor
University of Niigata Prefecture

Swalpa Udit
Associate Medical Director, Translational Medicine
Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Todd Williams
Associate Professor
Emmanuel College

Kevin Williams
Associate Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Yong Xu
Professor
Baylor College of Medicine

Hiroshi Yamamoto
Assistant Professor
Shiga University School of Medicine, Japan

Chian-Ping Ye
Assistant Professor
Harvard Medical School

Jeffrey Zigman
Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Available Positions

Research Technician II, Hypothalamic Research

In this role, you will work in the lab of Dr. Joel Elmquist under the direction of Dr. Teppei Fujikawa. The Elmquist lab is a multi-disciplinary lab studying the central regulation of metabolism and glucose homeostasis. We use animal models along with cutting edge molecular techniques in our studies.  Job duties include assisting with day-to-day maintenance of the lab, perform mouse breeding and genotyping, histology, analytical assays, and physiology experiments. For more information and to apply please visit the link below.

https://utsw.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=696416&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago

UT Southwestern Medical Center is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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