Pediatric Endocrinology Research

The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at UT Southwestern nurtures a dynamic research environment, spanning molecular mechanisms through clinical impact. Faculty collaborate with multiple departments and external partners, granting fellows and trainees a breadth of investigative opportunities – from bench science to clinical trials of novel therapies.

Faculty-led Research

• Perrin White, M.D.: Genetic Steroid Metabolism and Type 1 Diabetes Trials

  Perrin White, M.D.: Genetic Steroid Metabolism and Type 1 Diabetes Trials

  Dr. White leads continued excellence in endocrine genetics and pediatric diabetes trials:

  • NIH-funded trial of abiraterone acetate in prepubertal patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) to reduce androgen overproduction
  • Multicenter Type 1 diabetes trials, including the prestigious NIH TrialNet consortium, evaluation of a "bionic pancreas," and teplizumab intervention for preserving β-cell function during the honeymoon phase

  Collectively, his work propels molecular treatments and multi-institutional clinical research, advancing therapeutic paradigms for pediatric endocrine disorders.

• Soumya Adhikari, M.D.: EMR-Driven Diabetes Quality Improvement

  Soumya Adhikari, M.D.: EMR-Driven Diabetes Quality Improvement

  Dr. Adhikari champions informatics-based quality improvement and predictive analytics in pediatric diabetes care, including:

  • Database analysis of 2,500+ pediatric diabetes patients, supporting development of a validated risk score for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) using EMR database variables
  • Implementation of inpatient CGM protocols, optimizing glucose monitoring across hospitalized patients and integrating real-time data into clinical workflows
  • COVID-era outcomes research, demonstrating that telemedicine and CGM utilization stabilized glycemic control during the pandemic.

  His interdisciplinary work aligns clinical informatics, patient safety, and technology adoption to improve diabetes outcomes and equity in pediatric care.

• Nivedita Patni, M.D.: Genetic Dyslipidemia and Metabolic Disorders

  Nivedita Patni, M.D.: Genetic Dyslipidemia and Metabolic Disorders

  Dr. Patni spearheads research in rare pediatric lipid syndromes and their metabolic phenotypes, substantially advancing understanding and therapeutic approaches:

  • Pilot randomized trial of orlistat for type 1 hyperlipoproteinemia (T1HLP), showing safety and efficacy in reducing triglycerides in affected children
  • Identification of novel LMNA mutations in juvenile-onset generalized lipodystrophy and familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD-2), shedding light on genotype–phenotype relationships
  • Discovery of rare progeroid and neonatal lipodystrophy syndromes, including autosomal recessive generalized lipodystrophy and Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch syndrome tied to POLR3RA variants
  • Ongoing work at the Center for Human Nutrition, focused on natural history studies, metabolic profiling, and cellular-level investigations of extreme hypertriglyceridemia

  Her projects highlight mechanistic insights into lipid metabolism and pave pathways toward targeted therapies and personalized management for children with metabolic disorders.

• Nadia Merchant, M.D.: Translational Therapeutics in Skeletal Dysplasias and Genetic Growth Disorders

  Nadia Merchant, M.D.: Translational Therapeutics in Skeletal Dysplasias and Genetic Growth Disorders

  Dr. Merchant leads pivotal clinical and translational research exploring genetic growth disorders and targeted endocrine therapies. Her recent contributions include:

  • Phase II clinical trial of vosoritide in children with growth disorders such as Turner syndrome, SHOX deficiency, and Noonan syndrome, evaluating its impact on annual growth velocity compared to traditional growth hormone therapy; UT Southwestern serves as a key participating site.
  • Development of consensus-based clinical guidance, particularly around use of vosoritide, focused on structured endocrine practice and therapeutic transitions for pediatric patients with genetic short stature.
  • Approach to Patients with Achondroplasia- New Considerations: With advancement in prenatal testing and new therapeutics approved and others in clinical trials, there are important considerations to be taken as we manage patients with achondroplasia and other skeletal dysplasias.

  Dr. Merchant's work exemplifies the integration of health outcomes, clinical trial methodology, and use of precision medicine for evidence-based pediatric endocrine care.

• Bethany Cartwright, M.D., Ph.D.

  Bethany Cartwright, M.D., Ph.D.

  Dr. Cartwright's work advances our understanding of pediatric obesity through rigorous bench-to-bedside science, focusing on the cellular biology of adipose development in children.

  Laboratory and Basic Science Highlights:

  • Direct study of pediatric adipose tissue across development: Dr. Cartwright is building one of the nation's first biobanks of pediatric adipose (fat) tissue, from children of all ages and sizes. Using advanced technologies previously only applied to the study of adult adipose tissue, her lab is characterizing which aspects of adipose tissue biology are set early in life, versus which undergo developmental changes during development, and how tissue development is impacted by childhood obesity.
  • Single-cell transcriptomics in adolescent adipose tissue: Single-cell RNA sequencing from the first cohort of samples from adolescents in the UTSW Pediatric Adipose Tissue (PAT) Biobank has demonstrated that adipose progenitor cell heterogeneity is largely determined by adolescence and is not a consequence of aging or tissue dysfunction later in life. There are, however, important developmental differences in adolescent tissue compared to adults, including in the proportions of vascular and immune cells, that may have important implications for adipose tissue health and the progression of obesity-related health complications.
  • Translational focus: The goal of Dr. Cartwright's research is to better characterize the earliest stages of metabolic dysfunction in childhood obesity, with the hope of developing targeted tools for early risk assessment and treatment. As the PAT Biobank continues to grow, her lab will be exploring the developmental biology of adipose tissue at younger ages, as well as how childhood obesity affects adipose tissue composition and function during critical developmental windows.

  Clinical and Educational Synergy:

  • Dr. Cartwright works closely with the Children's Health multidisciplinary bariatric surgery team, integrating her mechanistic research with real-world metabolic and behavioral outcomes.
  • She is deeply invested in tackling weight bias in health care, using her scientific and clinical leadership to educate providers and improve care for children with obesity.

  Learn more about Dr. Cartwright's lab.

• Abha Choudhary, M.D.

  Abha Choudhary, M.D.

  Dr. Abha Choudhary leads our Division's quality improvement (QI) initiatives, integrating data-driven strategies to enhance pediatric endocrine care. Her contributions include the development of innovative systems that improve access, equity, and outcomes in diabetes management.

  Key QI projects led by Dr. Choudhary:

  • After-Hours Nurse Triage Line (2019–present):
    Established a dedicated call line staffed by trained nurses using modified Barton Schmitt protocols for pediatric diabetes. Handled ~70% of calls without physician involvement, reducing unnecessary ER visits and lowering on-call physician workload while ensuring equitable access across race and insurance types.
  • COVID-19 CGM and Telehealth Utilization Study (2022):
    Evaluated diabetes management in ~1,600 pediatric T1D patients during the pandemic. Showed increased use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and telemedicine, with stable HbA1c and hospitalization rates – suggesting resilient care delivery during disruptions.
  • T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI):
    As the site Principal Investigator since 2023, Dr. Choudhary spearheaded large-scale efforts, including:
    • Development of a Best Practice Advisory (BPA-TECH) embedded in the EMR to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in advanced diabetes technology prescription across seven centers
    • Launch of CGM data-sharing platforms and remote monitoring programs to track glycemic patterns and support high-risk patient populations
    • Launch of presymptomatic T1D/screening clinic in 10/2024 to facilitate autoantibody screening initiatives to diagnose early-stage T1D
    • Developed a program for the transition of pediatric T1D patients to adult practice to facilitate assessment of transition readiness, education, and seamless transition.

  Research trials and registries led by Dr. Choudhary:

  • Multicenter trial in newly diagnosed T1D patients (within 2 years of diagnosis) looking at administration of daily high-amylose maize starch (HAMS) for 12 weeks to help in modulation of gut microbes that may help lower postprandial glucose production and improve insulin sensitivity.

  • Tzield registry and TEPLI-REAL study that helps to collect data on patients with stage 2 T1D who are treated with teplizumab in the real-world setting to understand its long-term safety and effectiveness.

  These initiatives underscore Dr. Choudhary's commitment to applying systematic, tech-enhanced, and equity-focused approaches to pediatric diabetes care, positively impacting patient outcomes while aligning with national QI standards.

• Sowmya Krishnan, M.D.: Integrative Research in Pediatric Metabolic Bone Health and Obesity

  Sowmya Krishnan, M.D.: Integrative Research in Pediatric Metabolic Bone Health and Obesity

  Dr. Krishnan brings a unique translational perspective to pediatric endocrinology with a focus on metabolic bone health, obesity, and neonatal growth dynamics.

  Basic and Translational Research Highlights:

  • Bone Mass Accrual in Infancy: Her 2022 Calcified Tissue International study analyzed how maternal diabetes, infant adiposity, and cord blood adipokines affect bone mineral accrual during the first 6 months of life, offering insights into early-life determinants of skeletal development.
  • Adolescent Bone Quality in T1D: A 2025 cross-sectional study in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome (in press) utilizes collagen glycosylation and microarchitectural bone scores to assess the impact of Type 1 diabetes on adolescent bone integrity – work led by Dr. Krishnan.

  Educational and Systems-Based Contributions:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology Milestones 2.0: As a co-author in the development of the ACGME-aligned "Milestones 2.0" framework, Dr. Krishnan contributed to defining standardized educational competencies in pediatric endocrinology, enhancing training and assessment nationally.

  Clinical Relevance and Impact:

  • Her studies linked early metabolic and osteogenic pathways in offspring of diabetic mothers – findings with implications for understanding lifelong bone health and fracture risk.
  • Work on bone quality in youth with diabetes provides the cellular basis for enhanced monitoring and targeted interventions, contributing to improved patient outcomes.