معرفی
Marcus Pezzolesi, Ph.D., M.P.H., is Associate Professor of Nephrology and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He is a faculty member of the Molecular Biology Program and investigator in the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, where his laboratory integrates large-scale sequencing, electronic health records, and genealogical data to dissect the genetic basis of diabetes and kidney disease.
Education
- B.S. – University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Ph.D. – Ohio State University
- M.P.H. – Harvard School of Public Health
Research Focus
Dr. Pezzolesi’s laboratory employs next-generation sequencing, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Central themes include:
- Gene discovery through whole-genome and exome sequencing in families enriched for diabetic kidney disease.
- Integrative multi-omics to identify circulating microRNAs and proteins as predictive biomarkers of rapid renal decline.
- Population-specific genetic architecture, particularly in Pacific Islander cohorts, to understand ancestry-driven risk modifiers.
- Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation) and its mediation of gene–environment interactions in diabetic complications.
Publication Trends
Between 2015 and 2025, Dr. Pezzolesi has published more than 60 peer-reviewed papers and conference abstracts. A dominant trend is the progression from candidate gene studies to large-scale genome-wide association and whole-genome sequencing analyses, followed by functional follow-up of identified loci (e.g., FRMD3, FRAS1, ADIPOQ, ASAH2). Recent work expands into environmental epidemiology, integrating air-pollution exposure data with genomic risk to predict diabetic complications.
Scientific Awards & Honors
No specific awards or honors are listed in the provided text.
Grants & Funding
While explicit grant numbers are not quoted, the scope and scale of projects—ranging from whole-genome sequencing of >50,000 individuals to multi-ethnic consortia (GENIE, SUMMIT, FinnDiane)—indicate substantial NIH or equivalent funding.
Laboratory & Team
Dr. Pezzolesi leads a research group within the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center at the University of Utah, leveraging the Utah Population Database, biobank-linked electronic health records, and state-of-the-art core facilities for genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular phenotyping.
