My research mentor is Neda Rasouli, M.D. My main research project involves conducting a clinical trial studying the impact of adipose tissue hypoxia on the development of insulin resistance. There is a well-established association of obesity with insulin resistance and inflammation yet the underlying mechanisms leading to inflammation and insulin resistance remain unknown. Our primary research focus is investigating why some obese people develop insulin resistance while others remain insulin sensitive. Our overall hypothesis is that obese insulin resistant individuals have impaired neovascularization in expanding fat resulting in adipose tissue hypoxia which in turn promotes adipose tissue inflammation, fibrosis, and insulin resistance.
Publications
- Lawler H, Laufgraben MJ, Phillips BD, Schauer l. Pagets Disease. tn: Ebell MH, Smith M, Brown SR, Lindbloom E, eds. Essential Evidence. John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ 2011.
- Lawler H, Abdel-Maksoud MM, Schauer l. Relationship of measures of obesity with post-glucose load glucose, insulin, and fafty acid levels in subjects with normalglucose tolerance: The San Luis Valley Health Study. (ln preparation).
Poster Presentations
- Lawler H, Schauer l, Abdel-Maksoud MM. Relationship of measures of obesity with post-glucose load glucose, insulin, and fatty acid levels in subjects with normal glucose tolerance: The San Luis Valley Health Study. The 29th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Obesity Society, Orlando, FL, October 2011.
Colorado offers excellent faculty, outstanding training, and ample research opportunities. There are numerous endocrine specialty clinics in insulin pumps, thyroid cancer, pituitary, bone, etc. where you interact with experts in the field and see challenging and interesting cases. In addition, the opportunity to rotate at the University hospital, Veteran’s Hospital, and Denver Health (county hospital) enhances the training experience by providing interactions with patients of different socioeconomic backgrounds representing the gamut of endocrine pathophysiology. The program also provides protected time and abundant guidance during the second and third year of fellowship to assist fellows in becoming successful in research.
The people involved in the program as well as the patients.
After living in numerous cities, Denver is by far the best. The weather is phenomenal. There are not too many places where you can go skiing in the mountains followed by road biking in the city on the same day. Everyone is friendly and there is no shortage of outdoor activities.