Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
About
the Division chair | Contact
information | Faculty
members Clinical areas | Research areas | Fellowship training programs
Other points of interest
About the Division chair
John Nestler, M.D.
Dr. John Nestler is the first appointed William G. Blackard Professor
of Medicine. He has spent much of his career studying the effects
of insulin
on polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition related to diabetes,
obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Nestler has written numerous articles and abstracts for U.S. and European publications, such as the New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Circulation, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diabetes, and Diabetes Care.
Contact information
Division chair
John Nestler, M.D.
P.O. Box 980111
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0111
Phone: (804) 828-9695
E-mail: nestler@vcu.edu
Coordinator
LeNedda Esquivel
P.O. Box 980111
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0111
Phone: (804) 828-9696
E-mail: ldesquivel@vcu.edu
Faculty members
The Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism includes faculty with interests in all areas of clinical endocrinology, and faculty members are located at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center.
Clinical areas
At least two staff members are present at each clinic, and a patient management conference is held at the end of each clinic.
Faculty members perform major clinical studies in the following areas:
- role of insulin in the polycystic ovary syndrome
- metabolic syndrome
- cellular mechanisms of insulin action
- adipose tissue distribution and its relationship to morbidity
- regulation of hepatic glucose output
- endocrine causes of hirsutism and hyperandrogenism
- new methods of diagnosis and treatment of bone disease
- OSNET: a nonprofit network of premier Osteoporosis Research Centers
- adrenal androgen placement therapy in the elderly
- neuroendocrine studies on patients with pituitary tumors
- the euthyroid sick syndrom
Research areas
The division plays a very active role in clinical investigations in the General Clinical Research Center - Polycyctic Ovary Syndrome. Residents and fellows are encouraged to participate in many ongoing basic and clinical research projects. Basic research in the division is performed in the following areas:
- role of ion channels in pancreatic insulin release
- regulation of insulin receptor and leptin gene expression
- regulation of gluconeogenesis and hepatic glucose output
- insulin regulation of human adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis
- cellular mechanisms of insulin signal transduction
- control of prolactin secretion
- search for a novel pituitary hypercalcemic factor and components of the adenylate cyclase system
Fellowship training programs
We have an active fellowship program — currently with four fellows. Information can be accessed via FREIDA.
Other points of interest
- An interdisciplinary research conference is held monthly.
- Rounds are conducted daily, and trainees and faculty attend two to four outpatient clinics weekly.
- A major teaching conference (Endocrine Grand Rounds) is held weekly.
Polycyctic Ovary Syndrome website