Enrique Saez

Enrique Saez, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Physiology at The Scripps Research Institute. His research focuses on nuclear receptors as nutrient sensors and the genetic regulation of energy storage, aiming to uncover therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes. He holds multiple awards, including the NIH EUREKA Grant and the American Diabetes Association Career Development Award.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Harvard University, 1995
• A.B. in Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 1989
• Ph.D. in Gene Expression Lab, The Salk Institute, 1996
• Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 2004
• Ph.D. in Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation (GNF), GNF, 2005
• Group Leader Position, Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, 2006

Research Interests:

Dr. Saez’s lab investigates how nuclear receptors (e.g., LXR) sense nutrients like lipids and glucose, linking metabolic pathways to diseases. Key themes include:

• Novel nutrient signaling pathways via nuclear receptors
• Genetic regulators of adipose tissue formation and metabolic disease
• Pharmacological activation of adaptive metabolic responses in obesity

Recent work includes discovering compounds targeting Ces3 for diabetes and elucidating LXR’s dual role in glucose and lipid metabolism.

Awards & Trends:

His research bridges metabolism and cardiovascular health, with studies showing LXR’s link between hyperglycemia and atherosclerosis. Recent articles highlight drug discovery strategies integrating phenotypic and target-based screens.

Grants & Advising:

He leads projects funded by NIH and industry, with a focus on drugable targets in metabolic pathways. His lab has trained over 15 students/postdocs, many now in academic and industry roles.

Labs & Collaborations:

Collaborations span Scripps Florida, Monash University, and UCLA, advancing technologies like RNAi screening platforms and activity-based proteomics.