The majority of the second and third years of the program are spent training in laboratory and/or in clinical research, under one or more faculty mentors.
Two special research training tracks are available to fellows wishing to undertake at least two years of intense research training following the first (clinical) year:
NIH-Funded Molecular Endocrinology Training Grant (T32)
An integrated research program in any area of basic endocrine science involving faculty with joint appointments in the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of the Department of Medicine and the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology (see faculty list).
NIH-Funded Clinical Scientist Training Program
A research training opportunity, which is offered to all senior fellows at Baylor. This didactic and research-oriented program leads to diploma, masters or doctorate status in clinical research. Read more about the Clinical Scientist Training Program.
Faculty Research Interests
Dr. Ashok Balasubramanyam studies molecular aspects of muscle development and characterizes novel phenotypes and mechanisms of ketosis-prone diabetes. His group is also studying the molecular and metabolic basis of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Dr. Mandeep Bajaj conducts clinical and translational metabolic research related to the pathophysiology of lipotoxic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Rajagopal V. Sekhar directs the Translational Metabolism Unit and uses human and mouse models to study glutathione turnover and oxidative stress in diabetes and aging; and metabolic defects in HIV lipodystrophy, aging and growth hormone deficiency.
A comprehensive research program in molecular aspects of endocrine neoplasias by Dr. Robert R. Gagel.
Dr. Steven I. Sherman conducts extensive clinical research in the field of thyroid cancer.
Drs. Victor R. Lavis and Naifa Busaidy conduct clinical research in diabetes related to cancer.
Drs. Camilo Jimenez and Mouhammed Habra conduct clinical research into neuroendocrine tumors.
Dr. Anita K. Ying conducts outcomes and health services research into optimal delivery of endocrinology care.
Clinical research studies in the areas of hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, diabetes and wasting disorders take place at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center Clinical Research Unit under the direction of Dr. Marco Marcelli. He also conducts basic and translational research in the areas androgen receptor and ghrelin physiology using in vitro and animal models.
Dr. Nalini Ram conducts outcomes research in the optimal management of diabetic complications and ketosis-prone diabetes.
Drs. Steven G. Waguespack and Mimi I. Hu conduct clinical research into metabolic bone disorders.
Drs. Sanjay Mediwala and Madhuri Vasudevan conduct research into optimal delivery of diabetes care using new information technologies.
Dr. Massimo Pietropaolo conducts laboratory research into understanding the autoimmune basis of type 1 diabetes.
Drs. Dennis Villareal and Reina Villareal study the effects of exercise in the elderly with regard to metabolism, body composition and bone health
Clinical research programs in diabetes and its complications, lipids, pituitary tumors, thyroid pathophysiology, BPH and androgen deficiency are integrated into the basic research programs. As a trainee advances, the development of independent ideas, communication skills, and the art of grant writing are also stressed so that upon completion of the training period, the individual is well prepared for an academic career.
Faculty Research Interests
For detailed information, please view our Faculty Research Interests brochure.
