Nicholas J. Hand

Nicholas J. Hand, PhD, is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on molecular biology, liver diseases, and microRNA regulation, with significant contributions to understanding cardiometabolic diseases and cholestatic liver conditions. He is affiliated with the Rader lab and leads independent investigations into haploinsufficiency disorders.

Education:

• BA in Genetics, Trinity College, Dublin, 1992
• PhD in Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 2002
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, 2002–2005
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2005–2007
• Research Associate II, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2007–2011

Research Interests:

Dr. Hand is a broadly trained molecular biologist with a long-standing interest in liver diseases and microRNA-mediated gene regulation. His work is informed by human genetics and involves the use of iPSC-derived hepatocytes, CRISPR/Cas9, and mouse models to study gene function and disease mechanisms. His research spans:

• Cardiometabolic disease
• Cholestatic liver disease
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Lipid and lipoprotein metabolism
• MicroRNA as biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Publication Trends:

Dr. Hand’s recent publications reflect a strong focus on translational genomics and metabolic disease. His work integrates genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with functional genomics to uncover causal genes and mechanisms underlying liver and metabolic disorders. Notable themes include the role of specific genes (e.g., PPP1R3B, TM6SF2, PLIN2) in hepatic lipid metabolism, the use of iPSC-derived models, and the identification of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for liver disease.

Labs and Collaborations:

Dr. Hand is a key member of the Rader lab at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs functional follow-up of genetic discoveries. He also leads an independent research group focused on cholestatic liver disease and haploinsufficiency disorders.