Janet Funk

Janet Funk, MD, FACP is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on the intersection of endocrinology, oncology, and natural product pharmacology, particularly investigating breast cancer bone metastasis mechanisms, estrogen signaling pathways, and the therapeutic potential of turmeric-derived compounds like curcumin. She leads clinical trials assessing dietary supplements in chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes, emphasizing cardiometabolic health and inflammation reduction.

Her work spans preclinical models (e.g., murine breast cancer metastasis) and human clinical studies, addressing topics such as β-glucuronidase-mediated drug activation in bone, FSH-adiposity relationships in postmenopausal women, and exercise-induced epigenetic changes. Funk’s research also evaluates natural product safety and efficacy, including turmeric’s effects on bone health and its potential hepatotoxicity risks.

Key themes in her articles include:

• Estrogen receptor biology in metastatic breast cancer progression
• Bone microenvironment interactions with tumor cells
• Curcuminoid metabolism and activation pathways
• Cardiometabolic risk factors in young populations
• Skeletal muscle adaptations to exercise

Her studies often combine molecular biology techniques with clinical trials, highlighting translational research bridging basic science and patient care. Current efforts include investigating inspiratory muscle training for diabetes management and exploring novel drug candidates targeting TGFβ signaling in bone metastases.