Shuldiner New Human Genetics Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 22, 2005
Contact: Becky Ceraul rceraul@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-7590
Ellen Beth Levitt eblevitt@umm.edu 410-328-8919

PROMINENT DIABETES RESEARCHER NAMED DIRECTOR OF HUMAN GENETICS PROGRAM AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Alan R. Shuldiner, M.D.

Alan R. Shuldiner, M.D., an endocrinologist nationally known for his work in the molecular basis and genetics of type 2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance, has been named director of the Program in Human Genetics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Shuldiner will lead a large multidisciplinary team of physicians and clinical and basic researchers to advance current knowledge of human genetics. The team is involved in research, state-of-the-art diagnostic and clinical services and the education of graduate and medical students and postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Shuldiner is a professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and head of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition. He previously led the establishment of the Joslin Diabetes Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center and has long been recognized for his work in identifying genes that play a role in obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes.

In 1995, Dr. Shuldiner founded the Amish Research Clinic in Strasburg, PA, a state-of-the-art clinical research facility where more than 3,000 members of the Amish community have participated in studies to uncover the genetic components of illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.

In his new role, Dr. Shuldiner will coordinate the research, clinical and teaching activities of the Program in Human Genetics. “Dr. Shuldiner has received several academic awards of distinction, has lectured at numerous national and international symposia and meetings, and is committed to the training of young investigators in multidisciplinary clinical research,” said Donald E. Wilson, M.D., M.A.C.P., Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland and Dean, School of Medicine. “I have no doubt he will continue to enhance this important component of the School of Medicine.”

"Now that the human genome has been sequenced, we have the unprecedented opportunity to discover specific variants in genes that increase the risk for a wide variety of diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, psychiatric disease, and cancer. These discoveries will be translated into a new understanding of disease processes and ultimately into better ways to prevent and treat diseases,” says Dr. Shuldiner.

“The University of Maryland School of Medicine’s multidisciplinary Program in Human Genetics will be at the forefront of these new discoveries and their translation to improved patient care. The program will also play a lead role in educating the next generations of physicians and researchers in human genetics at the University of Maryland," says Dr. Shuldiner.

Dr. Shuldiner earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1984 and received his clinical training in medicine at the former Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City (now New York Presbyterian) and in endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health. He joined the faculty of Johns Hopkins University in 1990 and came to the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1997. He is board certified in both internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism.

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