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Research Summary
My research interests are focused on the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis and the development of treatments for obesity. I am interested in the molecular mechanisms by which several hormones discovered over the past few years control food intake. I am studying the neuroendocrine changes that occur with weight loss in both rodent models and obese humans.
Research Activities
Animal Studies:
§ Examining the role of agouti-related protein (AGRP) in regulating food intake. AGRP is a hypothalamic peptide that increases food intake in rodents by antagonizing the action of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH), a peptide that acts to decrease food intake, at melanocortin receptors within the brain.
§ Examining the role of the dopaminergic system in energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity.
§ Using rodent models to design effective weight loss strategies for future use in humans. One such study involves combination treatment with naloxone (an opioid antagonist) and leptin (a peptide hormone produces by adipocytes).
Human Studies:
§ Analysis of hormones involved in energy homeostasis before and after bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and banding) and implantation of a gastric pacemaker, an experimental procedure used for weight reduction.
§ Exploration of different therapies for the treatment of hypothalamic obesity.
Positions & Appointments
| 1999-present |
Assistant Attending Physician |
Presbyterian Hospital |
New York, NY |
| 1999-present |
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine |
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons |
New York, NY |
| 1997-1999 |
Post-Doctoral Clinical Fellow, Endocrinology |
Columbia University Medical Center |
New York, NY |
| 1996-1997 |
Instructor in Clinical Medicine |
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons |
New York, NY |
| 1996-1997 |
Chief Resident and Clinical Assistant Physician, Internal Medicine |
Columbia University Medical Center |
New York, NY |
Education and Training
| 1979 |
B.A. |
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY |
| 1992 |
Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics |
Columbia University, New York, NY |
| 1993 |
M.D. |
Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY |
Honors and Awards
1979 Magna Cum Laude, Barnard College, Columbia University
1979 Phi Beta Kappa, Barnard College, Columbia University
1979 Dean's Prize, Barnard College, Columbia University
1990 Dean's Day Medical Student Research Award, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University
1993 Upjohn Research Award
1998 Endocrine Fellows Foundation Grant
1998 NIH Feasibility Award, New York Obesity Research Center
1999 NIH Feasibility Award, New York Obesity Research Center
Committees and Society Memberships
Endocrine Society; American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; American
Diabetes Association; American Medical Association; North American Association for the Study of Obesity
Special Interests
Weight loss management; Neuroendocrinology
Selected Publications:
1. Korner, J., Lo, J., Freda, P.U., and Wardlaw, S.L. (2003 ) Weight loss in patients with hyperprolactinemia treated with cabergoline.
Obesity Research
11:311-312
2. Korner, J., Savontaus, E., Chua Jr., S.C., Leibel, R.L., and Wardlaw, S.L. (2001) Differential regulation of Agrp and Npy mRNA in the rat hypothalamus. J. of Neuroendocrinology
13:959-66
3. Korner, J., Wardlaw, S.L., Liu, S.-M., Conwell, I.M., Leibel, R.L., Chua Jr., S.C. (2000) Effects of leptin receptor mutation on Agrp gene expression in fed and fasted lean and obese (LA/N-faf) rats. Endocrinology
141:2465-71
4. Korner, J., Chua Jr., S.C., Williams, J.A., Leibel, R.L., Wardlaw, S.L. (1999) Regulation of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin by leptin in lean and obese rats. Neuroendocrinology
70:377-83
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