UCSF Experts Featured at National Endocrinology Meeting
Endocrine disruption during pregnancy and genetic drivers of bone disease were among the topics experts from UC San Francisco presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society — ENDO 2025 — in San Francisco, July 12 to 15, 2025.
Considered the leading global meeting in endocrinology research and clinical care with over 7,000 attendees, 2,500 abstracts and 200 sessions, ENDO 2025 presented the latest developments in hormone science and medicine from investigators, expert clinicians and educators worldwide.
This year’s program featured new basic and clinical research findings and cutting-edge disease management strategies by UCSF Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism experts.
2025 Early Investigator Award
Muriel Babey, MD, a physician-scientist and assistant professor of Medicine at UCSF, was named one of the 2025 Early Investigator Award winners presented at ENDO 2025. She shared a research presentation during the professional development session “PD02 — Early Investigator Awardee Research Presentations.”
Babey completed her medical training at the University of Berne in Switzerland and continued at UCSF, where she joined the Ingraham Lab in 2020. Her research explores how the brain regulates bone health during aging and metabolic stress. She helped identify CCN3, a brain-derived, bone-building hormone from arcuate Kiss1 neurons active during lactation. With support from a K08 award, Babey is investigating CCN3’s role in bone and marrow fat metabolism, aiming to uncover endocrine pathways that drive metabolic decline in postmenopausal women and identify new therapeutic targets.
Babey also served as chair for the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR36 — Bone and Mineral Metabolism: Basic and Translational Advances in Bone and Calcium Disorders.”
Leading UCSF presentations: plenary sessions, main stage, symposia and oral abstract sessions
Linda Giudice, MD, PhD, an obstetrician, gynecologist, and UCSF professor of OB/GYN, in the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, presented “Environmental Effects on Reproductive Health: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?” during the Sunday plenary session “PL03 — Women’s Reproductive Health: Aging and Environment.” Abundant evidence supports significant harmful effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), air pollution, and climate change on human reproductive health and development. Giudice’s session examined the environmental pollutants that harm reproductive health in vulnerable populations.
Giudice, who specializes in endometriosis, implantation and ovulatory disorders, infertility and assisted reproduction, was also one of three faculty participating in “PL04 — Post-Plenary Discussion: Women's Reproductive Health.” This interactive session delved deeper into the cutting-edge research and clinical practice presented at the plenary session.
She also served as chair for the symposium “SY62 — Novel Technologies in Reproductive Endocrinology.” This session reviewed recent advancements in applying cutting-edge technologies to the study of reproduction. Experts discussed their work using three different novel technologies.
Dolores Shoback, MD, UCSF professor of Medicine and a physician-scientist who cares for patients with a variety of endocrine-system disorders, was moderator for the main stage debate session “D02 — Osteoanabolic First or Next: Should Osteoanabolic Therapy be Used First in Postmenopausal Women at High Fracture Risk?” This debate aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the optimal sequencing of osteoporosis treatments. Shoback delivered the introduction and conclusions for the debate.
Ezequiel Goldschmidt, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon specializing in pituitary tumors and an assistant professor of Neurological Surgery at UCSF, presented “Identifying Novel Drivers of Hyperostosis” during the symposium “SY10 — Making Strides in Rare Bone Disease.” As the genetic understanding of musculoskeletal rare diseases expands, so does the development of therapeutic strategies. This session covered recent advances in the understanding of the clinical and molecular drivers of disease, and how they impact patient care.
Tiffany Kim, MD, UCSF assistant professor of Medicine whose research focus is osteoporosis and bone metabolism, served as chair for the symposium “SY52 — Muscle as an Endocrine Organ.” This symposium explored the muscle as an endocrine organ and examined secreted factors from resting and exercising muscle along with their signaling mechanisms and target tissues.
Kim was also chair for the symposium “SY23 — A Bittersweet Story: Diabetes and Bone.” This session provided an update on the clinical landscape of diabetic osteopathy and outlined the interplay between metabolic and skeletal health. The underlying pathophysiology of skeletal fragility in diabetes and a rationale for considering a diabetes-based paradigm in assessing and managing diabetic bone disease were discussed. She was also chair for the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR10 — Bone and Mineral Metabolism: Advances in Clinical Bone Management.”
Janet Lee, MD, MPH, MAS, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of Pediatrics at UCSF who has a special focus on metabolic bone disease and gender-affirming medical therapy, presented “Gender-Diverse Youth and the Skeleton” during the symposium “SY15 — Stuck in the Middle: Endocrine Care in the Adolescent.” The session provided relevant updates on clinical endocrine concerns for adolescents.
Aashish Manglik, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist and associate professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at UCSF, presented “New Insights into the TSH Receptor” during the symposium “SY27 — New Structural Insights into Hormone Receptor Function.” Manglik, who is interested in understanding how the human body senses and responds to external stimuli, participated in the session, which covered new insights into steroid hormone receptor signaling based on structural biology.
Robert Flavell, MD, PhD, a radiologist and chief of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics in the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, presented “Novel Approaches for Molecular Imaging of Prostate Adenocarcinoma and Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer” during the symposium “SY29 — Use of Theranostics for Diagnosis and Treatment of Endocrine Disorders.” This session provided the latest insights on the application of radioisotopes in patients with endocrine and other tumors.
Quan-Yang Duh, MD, professor of Surgery and section chief of Endocrine Surgery at UCSF, presented “Adrenalectomy for MACS with Bilateral Adrenal Adenoma/Hyperplasia” during the symposium “SY38 — Double Trouble: Bilateral MACs.” Duh, who cares for patients with hormone gland tumors, participated in this session, which examined approaches to patients with bilateral adrenal nodules/hyperplasia with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). The session also explored the role of surgery and medical management in patients with bilateral adrenal lesions and MACS.
Diana Alba, MD, a physician-scientist and UCSF assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology at UCSF, presented “How Can We Overcome Socioeconomic Contributors of Obesity?” during the symposium “SY41 — Future Developments and Challenges in Obesity Treatment: Where Will We Stand at ENDO 2030?” Alba, whose research program is focused on identifying the transcriptional pathways that regulate adipose tissue function during normal development and obesity, participated in the symposium, which explored cutting-edge advancements and emerging challenges in obesity treatment. Topics included innovative therapies, the evolving role of bariatric surgery, and the integration of precision medicine and novel pharmacological approaches in combating obesity.
Alba also chaired the symposium “SY59 — Gut Microbiome and Diabetes.” This session explored the gut microbiome's influence on type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, focusing on microbiome-endocrine interactions. The session also examined potential microbiome-based therapies for personalized diabetes management.
Alba participated in the professional development session “PD09 — Strategies for Success: Securing K-Grant Funding.” This session provided insight into K-grant proposals with advice from individuals who have obtained K-grant funding. The session aimed to furnish lesser-known tips and success strategies for securing a K award. Holly Ingraham, PhD, the Herzstein Endowed Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at UCSF, chaired the symposium “SY44 — Neuroendocrine Sex Differences: Why It Matters.” Ingraham is one of three world experts and women's health advocates who participated in this session, which highlighted the importance of enhancing this area of research and presented the most contemporary findings in sex differences in physiology and disease.
Wenhan Chang, PhD, UCSF professor of Medicine and director of SF-VAMC MicroCT and Imaging at the UCSF Core Center for Musculoskeletal Biology and Medicine, presented “CASR in the Brain” during the symposium “SY46 — Calcium Sensing Receptor Beyond FHH.” Calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) is a family C GPCR originally identified as critically involved in calcium homeostasis by regulating PTH secretion. The session explored cutting-edge aspects of CASR, including its expression and function in the brain, therapeutic insights gained from elucidating the structure of CASR, as well as functional studies on naturally occurring gain-and loss-of-function mutations in the CASR gene, providing better insight into diseases associated with these mutations.
Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS, an endocrine surgeon and chair of the UCSF Department of Surgery, presented “Surgical Updates to Thyroid Cancer Management” during the symposium “SY57 — Latest Update on Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Management.” Sosa, who specializes in thyroid cancer, participated in the session, which provided a comprehensive overview of the major guideline changes in differentiated thyroid cancer and implications for clinical practice. Key topics included revised risk stratification criteria, updated surgical recommendations, refined guidelines for radioactive iodine therapy, role of molecular markers, and new strategies for surveillance and long-term follow-up.
Suneil Koliwad, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist and chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UCSF, served as chair for the symposium “SY65 — Dysmetabolism in Persons Living with HIV.” Koliwad, who specializes in diabetes, obesity and other metabolic disorders and conditions linked to metabolism, led this session, which reviewed metabolic dysfunction, inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with HIV, and effects of statins and GLP-1 agonists.
Galateia Kazakia, PhD, professor in residence and director of the Bone Quality Research Laboratory in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at UCSF, presented “Imagining a Better Future Through Imaging: How Advanced Imaging Is Revolutionizing Skeletal Radiology” during the symposium “SY75 — Applying Cutting-Edge Approaches to Skeletal Diseases.” This session delved into advanced techniques for addressing skeletal diseases, highlighting breakthroughs in imaging technologies, spatial transcriptomics and metabolic regulation of bone mass.
Shylaja Srinivasan, MBBS, a clinician-scientist and assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at UCSF, presented “The Genetics of Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes-Progress and Pathways Forward” during the symposium “SY70 — The Trajectory of Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Research: 2000-Present.” This session reviewed recent research advances in understanding youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D), focusing on differences between youth and adult-onset T2D.
Srinivasan also served as chair of the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR19 — Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Real-World Lessons.”
Gloria Wu, MD, physician-scientist at UCSF presented “AI Chatbots: Do They Help Our Obese Teenage Type 2 DM Patients?” during the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR20 — Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Diabetes and Technology.” This study examined the effectiveness of AI chatbots in providing self-care plans to obese teenage patients with T2D. Wu reported results that showed that all LLMs provided useful information but lacked detailed actionable steps for diabetes self-care behaviors.
Timofei Glinin, PhD, post-doctoral scholar at UCSF, presented “Immunohistochemical and Single-cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Molecular and Cellular Alterations in Normal, Suppressed, and Adenomatous Parathyroid Glands” during the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR23 — Bone and Mineral Metabolism: Novel Intersections in Bone and Mineral Disorders.” Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is caused by excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, predominantly due to single-gland adenomas that arise in one of the four parathyroid glands (PTGs). Glinin reported results that reveal potential mechanisms that can be activated as an alternative, non-surgical approach for mitigating PTH hypersecretion.
Yuko Oda, PhD, UCSF associate researcher, presented “Vitamin D Receptor with Calcium Sensing Receptor Control Epidermal Tumorigenesis Through Oxidative Stress and DNA Repair Genes with Tumor Suppressor P53 Signaling” during the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR29 — Receptor Biology and Signal Transduction: Nuclear Receptors as Key Modulators of Metabolism and Cancer.” The vitamin D receptor (VDR) with CASR regulates epidermal proliferation and differentiation. Deletion of both VDR and CASR genes from Krt14-expressing epidermal keratinocytes (conditional double knockout, cDKO) causes alopecia and delays wound re-epithelialization. Oda reported results about VDR/CASR’s anti-tumor activity in the epidermis.
Aristides Diamant, MD, PhD, UCSF clinical fellow in Pediatrics, presented “Melanocortin-4 Receptor is Rapidly Ubiquitinated, Exits Primary Cilia and Undergoes Endocytosis After Activation” during the oral abstract and rapid-fire session “OR35 — Adipose Tissue, Appetite, and Obesity: Fat and Full: Adipocyte Signaling, Appetite Regulation, and Metabolic Control.” MC4R is rapidly ubiquitinated, exits primary cilia and undergoes endocytosis after activation. This process occurs more quickly with ligand-induced activity than constitutive activity. Ongoing MC4R activity may be crucial for transitioning from fasting to a fed state. Ubiquitin and β-arrestin-dependent mechanisms play key roles.
Other sessions:
Wenhan Chang, PhD, participated as faculty for the ancillary and pre-meeting program “APM04 — Hypoparathyroidism 2025 Summit: Translating Science from the Laboratory to the Clinic.” The Hypoparathyroidism 2025 Summit was devoted to the novel discoveries of basic research in hypoparathyroidism. Scientists from the academy and the industries discussed the development of new therapies in hypoparathyroidism.
Aditi Bhargava, PhD, professor at the UCSF Center for Reproductive Sciences and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, chaired the scientific statement session “ST01 — Endocrine Society Scientific Statement: Pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes.” The statement session aimed to integrate and summarize information about the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), highlight gaps in current knowledge, and propose future activities that may lead to additional approaches to treatment of the underlying autoimmunity and ß cell defects in T1D.
Steven Harris, MD, UCSF clinical professor, participated as faculty during the science and innovation theater session “SI02-08 — 12 Months to Stronger Bones for Your Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis at High Risk for Fracture.”
Elizabeth Murphy, MD, chief of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Division at San Francisco General Hospital and professor of Clinical Medicine at UCSF, was chair for the professional development session “PD06 — Career Exploration: Opportunities Across Sectors.”
Please visit ENDO 2025 for UCSF poster abstracts and additional session information.
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