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Scientific Interests
The primary focus of my research
has been the investigation of the role of the parasympathetic nervous
system in glucose homeostasis and more recently, in cardiovascular
function in humans. I am particularly interested in how dysregulation
of the autonomic nervous system contributes to the pathophysiology
of obesity, primarily diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition,
I have had a long standing interest in the hormonal, neuronal and
metabolic responses to diet and how these responses contribute to
overall energy homeostasis and food intake regulation. More recent
studies have examined the role of learning in glucose tolerance as
well as questions concerning type 1 diabetes such as the effects
of islet transplantation and the menstrual cycle.
Methodology
and Approach
Current methodologies utilized in my laboratory involve
standardized methods used to assess B-cell function and insulin
sensitivity including the frequently sampled intravenous glucose
tolerance test, graded intravenous glucose infusions, hyperinsulinemic,
euglycemic clamps as well as methods developed to measure early
phase insulin release. Assessment of parasympathetic activity and
function is determined by the use of muscarinic agonists and antagonists.
Cardiovascular activity is evaluated by heart rate variability
taking a circadian approach. Behavioral and psychological tests
monitoring food intake and psychological attitudes towards foods
are also conducted
The more invasive and complex studies take place in the
General Clinical Research Center.
University of Pennsylvania Affiliations
I am presently an Adjunct Associate Professor within the
division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism in
the School of Medicine as well as the Director of Translational
Research of the Institute of
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism of the University of
Pennsylvania. Prior to leaving Philadelphia to work at NIDDK, I was Associate
Program Director
of the General Clinical Research Center of the Hospital
of the University of Pennsylvania. I have mentored graduate students
and Endocrine fellows
from the University.
Collaborators
Raymond R. Townsend, M.D.,Director of the Hypertension
Clinic, University of Pennsylvania, has been a long term collaborator
providing his medical expertise in blood pressure regulation, pharmacology
and clinical assessment.
Peter Havel, D.V.M., Ph.D., Associate Researcher, Department of Nutrition,
University of California, Davis and I have collaborated on a number
of studies investigating the effects of dietary macronutrients, and
different forms of carbohydrate on circulating levels of hormones
and metabolites involved in energy homeostasis and food intake.
Michael Rickels, M.D., Instructor, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology
and Metabolism, have collaborated on a series of studies investigating
the metabolic consequences of islet cell transplantation in type 1
diabetics.
Monell
Collaborators: Julie Mennella, Ph.D.; Paul Breslin,
Ph.D.
Academic History
I received my B.Sc. in Nutrition from McGill University
and my Ph.D. from the division of Experimental Medicine, Department
of Medicine, McGill University. My Ph.D. research was conducted
under the mentorship of Simon Young, a neurochemist in the Laboratory
of Neurochemisty, and addressed the role of tryptophan and dietary
macronutrients on serotonin metabolism and function and food intake
regulation in rats and humans. I did my Post-doctoral Fellowship
at the Monell Chemical Senses Center with Richard Mattes, a nutritionist
who is presently at Purdue University. It was during this time while
investigating the cephalic phase insulin response that I developed
an interest in the parasympathetic nervous system and obesity. Except
for a year and half period (2005-2006) as Program Director within
the division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at the National
Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, I have spent
my research career working at Monell and the University of Pennsylvania.
Scientific Societies
Fellow, North American Society for the Study of Obesity
Elected Council Member, North American Society for the
Study of Obesity
Elected Board Member, Society for the Study of Ingestive
Behaviors
Member, American Diabetes Association
My Monell Publications |
Karen Teff