FIRST Fellow - Jeffrey Handy, Ph.D.



	Jeffrey Handy, Ph.D. Emory School of Medicine Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases Research Mentor: Frank Anania, M.D., Associate Professor Teaching Mentor: J.K. Haynes, Ph.D., Dean of Science and Mathematics, Morehouse College

Education B.S., Biology, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, 1992 Ph.D., Microbiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, 2006 3rd year FIRST Postdoctoral Fellow, 2007 - present

Research Statement Our laboratory investigates the mechanisms underlying the fibrosis associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). There is significant data, published by this lab and others, suggesting a fibrogenic role for the hormone leptin in this disease. Recently we have observed that adiponectin, a cytokine secreted by the cells of adipose tissue, has anti-fibrotic properties, and attenuates the fibrosis-promoting properties of leptin in rat hepatic stellate cells. Current studies are underway to identify the mechanism(s) of this effect, as it may represent a potential therapy for fibrotic liver pathology.

Publications

Emory University School of Medicine Department of Medicine Division of Digestive Diseases Whitehead Biomedical Research Bldg., Room 255 Atlanta, GA 30322 Tel: 404.727.5623 Fax: 404.727.5767 Email: jhandy@emory.edu

Emory University School of Medicine Department of Physiology Atlanta, GA 30322-3110 (404) 727-7410 Office ~ (404) 727-2648 FAX For questions or comments, contact the webmaster at FIRST@emory.edu.