David P Olson MD PhD

David Olson earned his M.D. and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan (the latter in Cellular and Molecular Biology). He served his internship and residency at Children’s Hospital Boston, followed by a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology and metabolism at Children’s Hospital Boston/Joslin Diabetes Center. Prior to returning to the University of Michigan, Dr. Olson was on staff at Children's Hospital Boston and affiliated with the Department of Newborn Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His postdoctoral research was performed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of Endocrinology.

Using novel mouse models, Dr. Olson is exploring gene expression changes in specific neuronal populations in the brain that are known to be important in regulating energy balance; these studies are directed at examining the link between gene expression in specific areas of the brain and altered metabolism. Additional studies using neuron-specific genetic changes are underway to clarify the molecular basis of daily biologic rhythms and explore how disruption of these rhythms predisposes organisms (rodents and humans) to pathologic changes in metabolism.