معرفی
Benjamin J. Renquist is a Professor in the Department of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona. He earned his PhD in Nutrition from the University of California, Davis, and completed postdoctoral training at Oregon Health & Science University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His research program spans both basic and applied science, focusing on the metabolic consequences of obesity and improving animal agricultural efficiency.
- PhD in Nutrition, University of California, Davis
- MS in Animal Science, University of California, Davis
- BS in Animal Science, Colorado State University
Dr. Renquist’s research centers on the role of hepatic GABA in obesity-induced insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperphagia. His lab discovered that liver fat accumulation increases GABA production, which contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Current work explores the mechanisms of GABA regulation and the development of inhibitors to prevent insulin resistance, including a clinical trial on GABA transaminase inhibition. Additional research investigates the links between obesity and asthma, as well as heat stress effects on feed intake and lactation in livestock. His lab has developed innovative metabolic rate assays for embryonic fish and skeletal muscle in cattle, leading to two biotech spin-offs: GenetiRate, Inc. (acquired in 2021) and GenetiRate2, LLC.
The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong focus on liver metabolism, GABA signaling, heat stress, and energy homeostasis. Key themes include the discovery of hepatic GABA as a neuro-hepatokine, the role of ion gradients in energy expenditure, and translational models for metabolic disease. The work spans molecular mechanisms, animal models, and clinical applications, demonstrating a cohesive research trajectory in metabolic regulation across species.
His scientific contributions have been recognized with several awards:
- Idea Funding Winner, Start-Up Tucson (2020)
- Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship (2020)
- Highly Cited Article, Journal of Endocrinology (2020)
- Editor's Choice, Applied Animal Science (2019)
- North Atlantic Seafood Forum Innovation of the Year (2019)
- Highly Read Author, Journal of Endocrinology (2018)
- Dean’s Research Advisory Council Award, College of Agriculture (2014)
Dr. Renquist mentors numerous students, including honors undergraduates and graduate researchers, and teaches courses such as Nutrition Physiology, Topics in Metabolic Disease, and Directed Research. He has secured funding from the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission and the American Heart Association. His lab continues to pioneer tools and insights for understanding and treating metabolic disease and enhancing sustainable animal production.
He leads a dynamic research team focused on liver-brain communication, metabolic dysregulation in obesity, and the development of high-throughput assays for energy expenditure in zebrafish and livestock. The lab’s work on heat stress and feed efficiency directly addresses challenges in animal agriculture under climate change. Their innovative approaches have led to commercial applications and ongoing clinical translation.
