Fellowship Programs
Endocrinology & Obesity
Improving overall health and well-being by prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of Diabetes, Obesity, Metabolic disorders and Endocrine disorders.
We welcome you to the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes on the state-the-art Anschutz Medical Campus.
Our mission is to improve overall health and well-being by prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of Diabetes, Obesity, Metabolic disorders and Endocrine disorders through:
- Cutting-edge basic, translational and clinical research
- Nationally-recognized consultative services in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
- National leadership
- Training of future leaders in Academic Endocrinology
Whitney Goldner, MD
Head, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
Division Highlights
Kudos to our Division members
Newsletters and Kudos
JANUARY
Mike McDermott – Recognized as a member of the Clinical Excellence Society (CES) Department of Medicine at the University of Colorado
Lauren Fishbein – Elected Director to Endocrine Society Board (3-Year Term)
Judy Cheng (Reis Lab) – Passed comprehensive exam for Cell Stem Cells and Development PhD Program
Andrew Libby – SCORE Research Scholar, U54 SCORE (BIRCWH K12)
Arely Diaz (Reis) - Diaz AV, Matheny T, Stephenson D, Nemkov T, D'Alessandro A, Reis T. Spenito-dependent metabolic sexual dimorphism intrinsic to fat storage cells. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Feb 18:2023.02.17.528952. doi: 10.1101/2023.02.17.528952. Update in: Genetics. 2023 Sep 20;: PMID: 36824729; PMCID: PMC9949119.
Christie Turin More – Article selected as “Editors choice” to be highlighted on Endocrine Oncology bioscientifica website - Turin CG, Crenshaw MM, Fishbein L. Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: germline genetics and hereditary syndromes. Endocr Oncol. 2022 Jun 28;2(1):R65-R77. doi: 10.1530/EO-22-0044. PMID: 37435466; PMCID: PMC10259326.
Billups SJ, Fixen DR, Schilling LM, El-Sheikh A, Marcus AM, Rothman MS. Lessons Learned: Evaluation of Fracture Liaison Service Quality Improvement Efforts in a Large Academic Healthcare System. J Gen Intern Med. 2023 Dec 15. doi: 10.1007/s11606-023-08568-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38100010.
FEBRUARY
Lauren Fishbein & Nikita Pozdeyev – VA Merit Award - Genetic Risk for Aggressive Thyroid Cancer in an Understudied Male Predominant Veteran Population
Rebecca Schweppe – Cancer League of CO Grant - The role of subcellular localization of FAK in thyroid cancer
Arwa Elsheikh – Congratulations on the “THRIVE Award” which was also highlighted in ASBMR eNews weekly
Andrew Libby – Promoted to Assistant Professor
Darleen Sandoval - Co-hosting a new podcast for the ADA’s Diabetes Journal - DiabetesBio. Like, rate and subscribe! https://x.com/ADA_DiabetesPro/status/1755964039065206815?s=20; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diabetesbio/id1726209584
Rasouli N, Younes N, Ghosh A, Albu J, Cohen RM, DeFronzo RA, Diaz E, Sayyed Kassem L, Luchsinger JA, McGill JB, Sivitz WI, Tamborlane WV, Utzschneider KM, Kahn SE; GRADE Research Group. Longitudinal Effects of Glucose-Lowering Medications on β-Cell Responses and Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes: The GRADE Randomized Clinical Trial. Diabetes Care. 2024 Jan 11:dc231070. doi: 10.2337/dc23-1070. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38211595.
Utzschneider KM, Younes N, Butera NM, Balasubramanyam A, Bergenstal RM, Barzilay J, DeSouza C, DeFronzo RA, Elasy T, Krakoff J, Kahn SE, Rasouli N, Valencia WM, Sivitz WI; GRADE Research Group. Impact of Insulin Sensitivity and β-Cell Function Over Time on Glycemic Outcomes in GRADE (Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study): Differential Treatment Effects of Dual Therapy. Diabetes Care. 2024 Jan 8:dc231059. doi: 10.2337/dc23-1059. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38190619.
Cleland NRW, Potter GJ, Buck C, Quang D, Oldham D, Neal M, Saviola A, Niemeyer CS, Dobrinskikh E, Bruce KD. Altered metabolism and DAM-signatures in female brains and microglia with aging. Brain Res. 2024 Jan 18:148772. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148772. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38244754.
Harrison DJ, Prada F, Nokoff NJ, Iwamoto SJ, Pastor T, Jacobsen RM, Yeung E. Considerations for Gender-Affirming Hormonal and Surgical Care Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents and Adults With Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Feb 6;13(3):e031004. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.123.031004. Epub 2024 Jan 31. PMID: 38293963.
Brock P, Liyanarachchi S, Nieminen TT, Chan C, Kohlmann W, Stout LA, Yao S, La Greca A, Jensen KE, Kolesar J, Salhia B, Gulhati P, Hicks JK, Ringel MD. CHEK2 founder variants and thyroid cancer risk. Thyroid. 2024 Jan 27. doi: 10.1089/thy.2023.0529. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38279823.
Hernandez TL, Farabi SS, Fosdick BK, Hirsch N, Dunn EZ, Rolloff K, Corbett JP, Haugen E, Marden T, Higgins J, Friedman JE, Barbour LA. Randomization to a Provided Higher-Complex-Carbohydrate Versus Conventional Diet in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Results in Similar Newborn Adiposity. Diabetes Care. 2023 Nov 1;46(11):1931-1940. doi: 10.2337/dc23-0617. PMID: 37643311; PMCID: PMC10620537.
**CU Anschutz News highlighted the above-mentioned article - https://news.cuanschutz.edu/nursing/a-diet-game-changer
Nikita Pozdeyev paper selected as JCEM’s featured article of the week - “Pozdeyev N, Dighe M, Barrio M, Raeburn C, Smith H, Fisher M, Chavan S, Rafaels N, Shortt JA, Lin M, Leu MG, Clark T, Marshall C, Haugen BR, Subramanian D, Crooks K, Gignoux C, Cohen T. Thyroid Cancer Polygenic Risk Score Improves Classification of Thyroid Nodules as Benign or Malignant. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jan 18;109(2):402-412. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad530. PMID: 37683082.Thyroid Cancer Polygenic Risk Score Improves Classification of Thyroid Nodules as Benign or Malignant.”
APRIL - MAY
Ginger Johnson (MacLean Lab) - Recipient of the Department of Medicine’s 2024 Award for Excellence in Research
Margaret Wierman received the 2024 Kahn-Tan-Faiman Frontiers in Science and Endocrinology Award from the 2024 AACE meeting .
Becca Rosenberg, (3rd year endocrinology research fellow) has been named one of the 2024 Women In Endocrinology Young Investigator Award recipients
Sean Iwamoto received an “I CARE” (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence) Certificate of Commitment from the national VHA Transgender Care Coordination Leadership team for his continued work on a committee to improve gender-affirming care for Veterans.
Sean Iwamoto was selected to be on the WPATH 2024 Steering Committee (1 of 9 people from around the world) for the 28th Scientific Symposium in Portugal in September.
John Michael Taormina (Mentor: Sean Iwamoto) received the Department of Family Medicine's 2024 "Rising Star in Research" Award for research related to weight management in transgender and gender diverse adults, BMI requirements for gender-affirming surgery, ALK inhibitor-related weight gain in non-small cell lung cancer patients, among other projects.
John Michael Taormina, Lisa Brownstone (University of Denver), Sean Iwamoto (Co-I and mentor) - Department of Family Medicine Pilot & Exploratory Program Grant - Lived Experiences of Body Mass Index Barriers to Gender-Affirming Surgery Access.
Paul Roberson (MacLean Lab) - promoted to Instructor
New Hires: Izel Tekin, PhD – Instructor (Reis Lab)
Kavita Shah, MD (Diabetes Fellow) was accepted to the ADA Scholars Program for ADA conference in June
Andrew Libby was awarded the NIH Specialized Centers of Research Excellence (SCORE) U54 Scholar
Andrew Libby - Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI), K12 - “Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Derived Adipocytes After the Loss of Ovarian Function”
Caitlin Bell – Endocrine Fellows Foundation (EFF) Research Grant -"Artificial intelligence for diagnosing follicular and oncocytic thyroid cancers".
Bryan Bergman – NIH-RO1 – “Effect of weight loss on intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) signaling”
Kim Bruce – Across the Finish Line Funding Award - “Recurrent reactivation of HSV-1 leads to microglial dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease pathology”
Roy MK, Bothwell S, Kelsey MM, Ma NS, Moreau KL, Nadeau KJ, Rothman MS, Nokoff NJ. Bone Density in Transgender Youth on Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. J Endocr Soc. 2024 Mar 12;8(5):bvae045. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvae045. PMID: 38562129; PMCID: PMC10983072.
Taormina JM, Cordoba Kissee M, Brownstone L, Grimstad F, Morrison SD, Hendrixson A, Iwamoto SJ. Approach to the Patient Navigating Body Mass Index Requirements for Gender-Affirming Surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Apr 8:dgae193. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgae193. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38584330.
Purcell SA, LaMunion SR, Chen KY, Rynders CA, Thomas EA, Melanson EL. The use of accelerometers to improve estimation of the thermic effect of food in whole room calorimetry studies. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2024 May 2. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00763.2023. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38695352.
Blondin DP, Haman F, Swibas TM, Hogan-Lamarre S, Dumont L, Guertin J, Richard G, Weissenburger Q, Hildreth KL, Schauer I, Panter S, Wyland L, Carpentier AC, Miao Y, Shi J, Juarez-Colunga E, Kohrt WM, Melanson EL. Brown adipose tissue metabolism in women is dependent on ovarian status. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024 May 1;326(5):E588-E601. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00077.2024. Epub 2024 Mar 13. PMID: 38477875.
Also, APSselect article for May - https://www.physiology.org/detail/news/2024/05/21/good-fat-metabolism-changes-tied-to-estrogen-loss-not-necessarily-to-aging?SSO=Y
Libby AE, Solt C, Jackman M, Sherk V, Foright RM, Johnson GC, Nguyen TT, Breit M, Hulett N, Rudolph M, Roberson PA, Wellberg E, Jambal P, Scalzo RL, Higgins J, Kumar TR, Wierman ME, Pan Z, Shankar K, Klemm DJ, Moreau KL, Kohrt WM, MacLean PS. Effects of Follicle Stimulating Hormone on Energy Balance and Tissue Metabolic Health After Loss of Ovarian Function. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Mar 27 PMID: 38536037
Cook TM, Sandoval D. Dual-action obesity drug rewires brain circuits for appetite. Nature. 2024 May 15. doi: 10.1038/d41586-024-01352-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38750199.
Co-Authors: Bergman, B, Bessesen, D, Melanson, E, Schauer, I - MoTrPAC Study Group; Lead Analysts; MoTrPAC Study Group. Temporal dynamics of the multi-omic response to endurance exercise training. Nature. 2024 May;629(8010):174-183. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06877-w. Epub 2024 May 1. PMID: 38693412; PMCID: PMC11062907.
Rothman MS, Hamnvik OPR, Davidge-Pitts C, Safer JD, Ariel D, Tangpricha V, Abramowitz J, Soe K, Sarvaideo J, Kelley C, Irwig MS, Iwamoto SJ. Revisiting injectable estrogen dosing recommendations for gender-affirming hormone therapy. Transgender Health. Online ahead of print: http://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2023.0209
Iwamoto SJ, Rice JD, Moreau KL, Cornier MA, Wierman ME, Mancuso MP, Gebregzabheir A, Hammond DB, Rothman MS. The association of gender-affirming hormone therapy duration and body mass index on bone mineral density in gender diverse adults. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2024. Online ahead of print: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcte.2024.100348
GRADE Study - University of Colorado and Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical center. Ten scientific papers published in the April issue of Diabetes Care:
- Neda Rasouli (First Author) - The Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness (GRADE) Study was conducted at 36 U.S. centers and 9 subsites between 2013 and 2021. Major results focusing on the relative differences in blood glucose levels and the occurrence of cardiovascular outcomes, like heart attacks and stroke, were published in two papers in The New England Journal of Medicine in September, 2022.
Neda Rasouli (Co-Author) - Ten scientific papers published in the April issue of Diabetes Care report other important differences between the four medications which are commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes.
JANUARY
Mike McDermott received the CU SOM Distinguished Physician Award
Beth Tupta received the 2022 Medical Staff Clinician of the Year Award
APRIL
Cecilia Low Wang – Associate Director for the Mentored Scholarly Activity program for medical students.
Dan Bessesen – 2023 Florence Rena Sabin Award
Jim Falko – 2023 National Lipid Association (NLA) Honorary Lifetime Membership Award
Tania Reis – 2023 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Finalist Interview
Rocio Pereira – COVID deaths and health disparities interview on NPR/CPR
Bryan Bergman & Co PI Karin Zemski Berry – SIRC Grant “Triple Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap for Lipidomic Analysis”.
Pribish, AM (cardiology fellow), Iwamoto, SJ. – "Cardiovascular disease and feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy: Implications for the provision of safe and lifesaving care."Current Opinion in Physiology. 2023 Jun;33:100650. PMID: 36968433.
Layla Abushamat (Former Fellow, Reusch Lab) – ADA 2022 Annual Research Report Highlight – “Diabetes, Exercise, and Heart Health”
MAY
Jane Reusch, MD – 2023 Harold Rifkin Award
Kim Bruce – Spring 2023 AB Nexus Research Collaboration Grant
Manuscript accepted for publication – Title: Dasatinib and Trametinib Promote an Anti-Tumor Metabolic Program in Thyroid Cancer Cells Authors: Eric L. Bolf, Thomas C. Beadnell, Madison M. Rose, Angelo D'Alessandro, Travis Nemkov, Kirk C. Hansen, Rebecca E. Schweppe *Journal: Cells
Manuscript accepted for publication – Title: "Fibronectin contributes to a BRAF inhibitor-driven invasive phenotype in thyroid cancer through EGR1, which can be blocked by inhibition of ERK1/2."Authors: Hannah M. Hicks, Nikita Pozdeyev, Sharon B. Sams, Umarani Pugazhenthi, Elise S. Bales, Marie-Claude Hofmann, Logan R. McKenna, Rebecca E. Schweppe. Journal: Molecular Cancer Research
Iwamoto SJ, Defreyne J, Kaoutzanis C, Davies RD, Moreau KL, Rothman MS. Gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health, and surgical considerations for aging transgender and gender diverse adults. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Apr 19;14:20420188231166494. doi: 10.1177/20420188231166494. PMID: 37113210; PMCID: PMC10126651.
JUNE
Whitney Adair promoted to Senior Instructor
Seth Creasy selected as a 2023 Research Scholar
Sarah Mayson elected to the APDEM Council (Association for Program Directors in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism), term 2023-2025
Micol Rothman – UPL Transgender Program funds renewed
Colleen McKenna (Bergman Lab) – NIH F32 Grant: The Role of IMAT Inflammatory Secretome on Muscle Insulin Resistance
Pribish AM, Iwamoto SJ. Cardiovascular disease and feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy: Implications for the provision of safe and lifesaving care. Curr Opin Physiol. 2023 Jun;33:100650. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2023.100650. Epub 2023 Mar 1. PMID: 36968433 PMCID: PMC10035588.
Chou R, Dana T, Mayson SE, Cibas ES, Durante C, Solórzano CC, Mandel SJ, Orloff LA. Ultrasound Follow-Up of Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Scoping Review. Thyroid. 2023 Apr;33(4):420-427. doi: 10.1089/thy.2022.0692. Epub 2023 Mar 17. PMID: 36800900.
JULY
Kim Bruce & Miguel Lanaspa-Garcia – The Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research Grant - "Does GLUT5-mediated Fructose Metabolism drive Alzheimer’s disease risk in Females?“
Low-Wang C, Seggelke S, McDermott M, Reusch J – Diabetes and COVID-19,Chapter 2 - Pathophysiology: How COVID-19 Impacts the Pancreas and Peripheral Insulin Resistance, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28536-3
Bolf EL, Beadnell TC, Rose MM, D'Alessandro A, Nemkov T, Hansen KC, Schweppe RE. Dasatinib and Trametinib Promote Anti-Tumor Metabolic Activity. Cells. 2023 May 12;12(10):1374. doi: 10.3390/cells12101374. PMID: 37408209; PMCID: PMC10216321.
Hicks HM, Pozdeyev N, Sams SB, Pugazhenthi U, Bales ES, Hofmann MC, McKenna LR, Schweppe RE. Fibronectin contributes to a BRAF inhibitor-driven invasive phenotype in thyroid cancer through EGR1, which can be blocked by inhibition of ERK1/2. Mol Cancer Res. 2023 May 23:MCR-22-1031. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-22-1031. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37219859.
Taormina JM, Gilden AH, Iwamoto SJ. Meeting the Body Mass Index Requirement for Gender-affirming Surgery Using Antiobesity Medication. JCEM Case Rep. 2023 Jun 28;1(3):luad067. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luad067. PMID: 37388627; PMCID: PMC10301860.
Taormina JM, Iwamoto SJ. Filling a gap in care: addressing obesity in transgender and gender diverse patients. Int J Obes (Lond). 2023 Jul 6. doi: 10.1038/s41366-023-01334-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37414875.
Pinto AJ, Bergouignan A, Dempsey PC, Roschel H, Owen N, Gualano B, Dunstan DW. The Physiology of Sedentary Behavior. Physiol Rev. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00022.2022. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37326297.
JULY
Avery Diaz (Reis Lab) - 2023 MOLB Bolie Award
Sean Iwamoto received a "Coin of Recognition" by the Secretary of VA for his service to transgender Veterans and working to expand gender-affirming care at the VA.
MultiD transgender program team selected to present at the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) conference:
- Sean Iwamoto’s pilot study on feminizing hormones and coagulation biomarkers
- Plastic surgery team on gender-affirming breast surgery outcomes
- Mini-symposium for Micol Rothman and team on rural gender-affirming care
Endo Society Meeting Highlight - Nikita Pozdeyev's study - "AI for thyroid nodule ultrasound characterization" was highlighted in the media portion of the Endocrine Society meeting
Bryan Bergman - 16%-18% on NIDDK's payline for grant "Effect of weight loss on intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) signaling
Bryan Bergman - MoTrPAC IMAT R01 - received 19th percentile, within 5% of the funding line
Elizabeth Thomas - R01 score in 11% - "Effects of early vs. late time restricted eating vs. daily caloric restriction on weight loss and metabolic outcomes in adults with obesity"
Annie Caldwell - Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Early-Career Faculty Development Award
Darcy Kahn (Bergman Post Doc) - Thesis Defense on 6/24/22 “The role of osteoanabolic agents in the management of patients with osteoporosis”. McClung MR, Rothman MS, Lewiecki EM, Hanley DA, Harris ST, Miller PD, Kendler DL.Postgrad Med. 2022 May 30:1-11. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2022.2069582. Online ahead of print.PMID: 35635798 Review.
AUGUST
Arely Diaz (Reis Lab) - 2022-2023 MOLB Bolie Award
Sean Iwamoto received a “Coin of Recognition” by the Secretary of VA for his service to transgender Veterans and working to expand gender-affirming care at the VA.
Bryan Bergman - MoTrPAC IMAT R01 - received 19th percentile, within 5% of the funding line.
Elizabeth Thomas - RO1 score in 11% - “Effects of early vs. late time restricted eating vs. daily caloric restriction on weight loss and metabolic outcomes in adults with obesity”
Annie Caldwell - LudemanFamily Center for Women’s Health Early-Career Faculty Development Award
Darcy Kahn (Bergman Post Doc) - Thesis Defense on 6/24/22“The role of osteoanabolic agents in the management of patients with osteoporosis”. McClung MR, Rothman MS, Lewiecki EM, Hanley DA, Harris ST, Miller PD, Kendler DL.Postgrad Med. 2022 May 30:1-11. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2022.2069582. Online ahead of print.PMID: 35635798 Review.
SEPTEMBER
An Assessment of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Training in Endocrinology Fellowship Programs in the United States. Malek R, Shibli - Rahhal A, Correa R, Szmuilowicz ED, Morgan F, Luthra P, Sirisena I, Gianoukakis A, Praw SS, Lieb DC, Haw JS, Mayson SE. Endocr Pract. 2022 Aug 16:S1530-891X(22)00599-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2022.08.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35985561.
Dave Saxon - UC Health Today - Innovative Care - Young and fit, she discovered dangerously high cholesterol at the age of 20
Glycemia Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes - Glycemic Outcomes D. Nathan, M.D., J. Lachin, Sc.D., A Balasubramanyam, M.D., H Burch, J. Buse, M.D., N. Butera, Ph.D., R. Cohen, M.D., J. Crandall, M.D., S. Kahn, M.B., Ch.B., H. Krause-Steinrauf, M.S., M. Larkin, R.N., N Rasouli, M.D., M. Tiktin, D.N.P., D. Wexler, M.D., and N. Younes, Ph.D. n engl j med 387;12 nejm.org September 22, 2022
Bryan Bergman - NIH-R01 - UCDenver - Effects of aging and exercise training on intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) in MoTrPAC
Kimberly Bruce - R01 - National Institute on Aging - Targeting Microglial Lipoprotein Lipase in Alzheimer's disease
Kelly Fuller (Sandoval Post Doc) - CWHR Seed Grant - Sex Differences Score - Exploring sex differences in hepatic lipid metabolism after bariatric surgery.
Maigen Bethea (Sandoval Lab) - BIRCWH K12 Grant; promotion to Research Assistant in October
OCTOBER
Bryan Haugen received the 2023 Endocrine Society Laureate Award for Outstanding Scholarly Physician
Division Locations
UCH Endocrinology Clinic
1635 Aurora Court, 6th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
Telephone: 720-848-2650
Fax: 720-848-2651
University Administrative Office
12801 E. 17th Ave., 7103
Research 1 South
Aurora, CO 80045
Telephone: 303-724-3921
Fax: 303-724-3920
Endocrinology (SOM)
CU Anschutz
Research I South
12801 East 17th Avenue
7103
Aurora, CO 80045
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