Phillip Dumesic, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Diabetes Center
School of Medicine

415-514-0594

Energy metabolism comprises decisions by which cells shepherd the energy contained in chemical bonds. Cells transform, store, allocate, and deploy this energy in coordinated ways to influence nearly all mammalian physiology—from body heat produced by thermogenic fat to physical force generated by working muscle.

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We study how genetic programs instruct cellular decisions in energy metabolism, how organisms coordinate such decisions to balance systemic energy intake with expenditure, and how new therapies might modulate these processes to treat diseases such as obesity, diabetes, sarcopenia, and cachexia. Our syncretic approach unites genetics, biochemistry, and mouse physiology while leveraging individual curiosity and diverse ways of thought.

Awards

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  • Rising Star in Diabetes and Obesity Research, Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, 2023
  • K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, NIDDK, 2021-2027
  • Fellowship Award, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, 2017-2021
  • Kaluza Prize Finalist, American Society for Cell Biology, 2015
  • Teaching Award, UCSF Tetrad Graduate Program, 2011
  • Dean's Prize in Research, UCSF School of Medicine, 2009
  • Research Award, Stanford Program in Epithelial Biology, 2006
  • Firestone Medal for Excellence in Research, Stanford University, 2006
  • J.E. Wallace Sterling Award for Scholastic Achievement, Stanford University, 2006
  • Goldwater Scholarship, Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, 2005
  • Deans' Award for Academic Accomplishment, Stanford University, 2005
  • Hoefer Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing, Stanford University, 2004
  • President's Award for Academic Excellence, Stanford University, 2003

Education & Training

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  • Postdoctoral Metabolism Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 2024
  • Postdoctoral Biochemistry University of California 2017
  • MD Medicine University of California 2016
  • PhD Genetics University of California 2014
  • BS Biological Sciences Stanford University 2006

Interests

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  • Metabolism
  • Gene regulation
  • Biochemistry
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Metabolic disease
  • Genetics
  • Molecular biology

Websites

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Grants and Projects

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  • Translational regulation of PGC1a and oxidative metabolism, NIDDK, 2024-2027

Publications (29)

Top publication keywords:
DNA Transposable ElementsSpliceosomesSignal Recognition ParticleNucleosomesFungal ProteinsRNA, Small InterferingDNA, FungalPeroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alphaCryptococcus neoformansDNA (Cytosine-5-)-MethyltransferasesRNA InterferenceRNA, FungalPolycomb-Group ProteinsOpen Reading Frames5' Untranslated Regions

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