Endocrinology/Metabolism
Bethany Cummings, DVM, PhD
(See also: Biochemistry/Cellular Biology, GI Physiology/Gastroenterology)
I am a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine and in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the School of Veterinary Medicine. My lab is interested in type 2 diabetes mellitus pathogenesis and treatment. We conduct studies in cells, rodent models and human samples to understand the molecular basis of metabolic disease, with a focus on bile acid metabolism by the gut microbiome and pancreatic islet biology.
Please contact Dr. Cummings at bpcummings@health.ucdavis.edu
Cecilia Giulivi, PhD
VM: Molecular Biosciences
(see also: Biochemistry & Cellular Biology, Translational Research)
My main research interest is to understand the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction that contribute to the morbidity or start of neurodegeneration or neurodevelopmental deficits. As an extension of this work, and as aging is one of the main contributors to neurodegeneration, and life expectancy of pets is increasing worldwide, we realized that data on vitamins and antioxidant status of cats as they age are limited. This gap of knowledge undermines the resources needed by pet owners and clinicians to make informed decisions on (for instance) dietary supplements.
Projects for summer research students include: Healthy aging in cats; disparity between chronological and biological age in cats. Combined omics, bioinformatics, identification of key biologiacl pathways influencing the disparity between chronological and biological age.
Dr. Giulivi can be reached via email.
Jon Ramsey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
(See also: Gastroenterology/GI Physiology)
My research focuses on energy metabolism as it relates to obesity and aging. Calorie restriction, without malnutrition, is the only intervention that has consistently been shown to increase maximum life span in mammalian species. My research is investigating possible mechanisms for the retardation of aging with calorie restriction. In the area of obesity, my research focuses on the role alterations in energy expenditure play in either assisting or opposing weight loss. Also, I am interested in preventing obesity in companion animals by better determining the energy requirements of cats and dogs.
Dr. Ramsey can be reached via email at jjramsey@ucdavis.edu.