Highlighted Researcher: Thomas Ziegler

What is your professional background?
I have BS and MS degrees in nutrition from Michigan State, and I graduated with my MD degree from Michigan State’s College of Human Medicine in 1983. I received consecutive research/clinical fellowship training in Boston, initially in nutrition/metabolism at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and then in endocrinology/metabolism at BWH, Beth Israel, and the Joslin Diabetes Center.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I have worked in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids since 1994. Larry Phillips and Bill Mitch were early mentors, and for my entire Emory tenure, Dean Jones has been a wonderful mentor in science and academic rigor. Henry Blumberg has been a critical mentor in global health research and for my roles in our CTSA training programs. I have also received great mentoring from my mentees, most recently from Jessica Alvarez.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
Malnutrition and nutrient depletion are common with acute and chronic illness. My clinical and translational research has focused on the clinical and metabolic effects of various forms of nutritional support in animal models and in catabolic patients with short bowel syndrome, chronic infection, malnutrition, and in hospitalized patients, including in randomized controlled clinical trials, and in studies in the clinical research center setting. With training by Dean Jones, my research expanded to include redox metabolism and metabolomics.

What do you like most about Emory?
Emory is a beautiful and collaborative place, and “team science” is a definite thing here. Every day, we faculty get to interact with wonderful academic citizens, be they fellow faculty, students, or other trainees.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love spending time with my family, especially at our cottage at beautiful Higgins Lake in northern Michigan, my home state. This will be my 50th summer going “up-north” there, and fly fishing for trout on the local Au Sable river with my sons has been a wonderful tradition.  I love Game of Thrones, TV political shows, and 60s music, especially by Bob Dylan and the Byrds.

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Emory Department of Medicine
The Department of Medicine, part of Emory University's School of Medicine, promotes excellence in education, patient care, and clinical and basic research.

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