I am a translational physician-scientist studying the molecular mechanisms that control human skeletal development and disease. I am particularly interested in how different signals such as hormones control bone growth and repair, and how abnormalities in these mechanisms lead to human diseases.

My research uses a bench-to-bedside-back-to-bench approach. I am a practicing endocrinologist, and I lead the UCSF Metabolic Bone Clinic in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. The clinic focuses on providing cutting-edge care and clinical research for patients with skeletal dysplasias and rare bone diseases. The insights we gain from caring for patients are used to inspire our laboratory research. We use a combination of genetics, human stem cell models, animal models, and bioengineering to understand why human bone diseases occur with the goal of finding novel potential therapies. We also use this information to guide clinical research studies using human samples. Our long term goal is to help find new strategies for improving the care of patients with bone diseases.

In addition to my research, I am also the Program Director for the UCSF Endocrinology and Metabolism Fellowship. I also volunteer on the International Clinical Council on FOP, the Medical Advisory Board for the Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation, and on the Medical Registry Advisory Board for the International FOP Association. I am honored to have been supported by a Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Clinical Scientist Development Award, a March of Dimes Basil O’Connor Award, and a NIH K08 Career Development Award.