Naji Abumrad, MD, FACS

John L. Sawyers Professor of Surgery
School of Medicine
Chair Emeritus, Department of Surgery
Vice Chair for Mentoring Section of Surgical Sciences

Global Health Topic(s): Diabetes

 

Dr. Abumrad's clinical interests cover all aspects of general surgery, particularly endocrine surgery. His extensive research activities include studies of the mechanism of insulin resistance in the morbidly obese; he is conducting studies related to understanding the mechanisms involved in the reversal of type 2 diabetes in morbidly obese patients who undergo bariatric surgical procedures. Additional studies carried out in his laboratory address the metabolic effects of opioid peptides and opiate alkaloids, and cocaine on energy metabolism and fuel mobilization. Dr. Abumrad's work has been funded by NIH grants during most of his academic career.

Dr. Abumrad's professional interests have earned him appointments to serve on many NIH study sections, such as the Surgery, Anesthesia, and Trauma (1991-94) and Metabolism (1996-1998) Study Sections. In addition, he finished a stint as a member (2000-2004) and Chairman of the GMA2 Study Section. He also served as a member of Secretary Donna Shalala's Task Force on Breast Cancer in 1994. In 1977, Dr. Abumrad received the Best Teacher Award at SUNY, Syracuse, and the Grant W. Liddle Award for Excellence in Teaching at Vanderbilt Medical Center in 1984. 

Education

M.D., American University of Beirut, Lebanon