Hometown: Kendrapada, Odisha, India
Faculty mentor: Renata Pereira Alambert, PhD, assistant professor of internal medicine-endocrinology and metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine

Jayashree Jena is investigating the molecular-level biological processes that underlie the development of metabolic conditions such as obesity. Obesity correlates with the development of various conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. Obesity has been increasing globally, but women show fewer adverse effects of obesity when compared to men. Jena’s research aims to expand understanding of sex differences related to the development of obesity. Her work has the potential to identify new targets for personalized therapeutics to manage obesity and associated diseases.

After completing her postdoctoral fellowship, Jena plans to stay in academia and become an independent investigator in metabolism, diabetes, and obesity.

 

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