Alexandra Dumitrescu

Dr. Alexandra Dumitrescu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine-Endocrinology at the University of Chicago. Her NIH-funded research program focuses on genetic disorders of thyroid hormone metabolism, including defects in hormone transport (MCT8), receptor function, and selenoprotein synthesis (SECISBP2). She leads multiple research grants including R01DK110322 investigating SBP2 deficiency syndromes and serves as Co-PI on R01DK015070 studying inherited thyroid disorders.

Research Focus

Dr. Dumitrescu's research examines:

• Thyroid hormone transport mechanisms across biological barriers
• Genetic basis of congenital hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone resistance
• Selenoprotein biology in thyroid function
• Therapeutic strategies for transport defects including gene therapy approaches
• Fetal thyroid physiology and placental transport mechanisms

Publication Trends

Her recent work demonstrates strong focus on:

• Novel therapies for MCT8 deficiency including combined drug treatments and AAV gene delivery
• Genetic characterization of thyroid disorders across diverse populations
• Role of non-coding mutations in thyroid regulation
• Advanced models including cerebral organoids for disease mechanism studies
• Prenatal interventions for inherited transport defects

Research Funding

• R01DK110322 (PI): Mouse Sbp2 deficiency models (2016-2021)
• F32DK091016 (PI): Pathophysiology of SBP2 abnormalities (2011-2012)
• R01DK015070 (Co-I): Thyroid Physiology Studies (1979-2027)