Perry E. Bickel

Perry E. Bickel is an Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, holding the Daniel W. Foster, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine. Board certified in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, he joined the faculty in 2012 after completing clinical and research training at Harvard-affiliated institutions.

His academic credentials include:

• Bachelor's degree in philosophy and classical civilization from Yale University
• Medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Internal medicine residency and endocrinology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital
• Research fellowship at Harvard Medical School
• Visiting scientist position at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research

Dr. Bickel's research centers on cellular lipid storage mechanisms, specifically how fat is stored and utilized in cells to develop treatments for diabetes and obesity. His work bridges molecular biology and clinical endocrinology, investigating lipid droplet proteins and their roles in metabolic regulation. This research has significant implications for understanding obesity-related pathologies and developing targeted therapies.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on perilipin-family proteins, lipid droplet dynamics, and their connections to metabolic diseases. His work spans molecular mechanisms of fat storage, mitochondrial function in adipose tissue, and cardiovascular implications of lipid metabolism, with increasing emphasis on translational applications for diabetes and obesity treatment over the past decade.

His professional honors include:

• Best Doctor in America recognition for three consecutive years
• D Magazine Best Doctor designation three times

As Associate Program Director of UT Southwestern's Endocrine and Metabolism Training Grant, Dr. Bickel oversees physician-scientist development while directing a research laboratory investigating fundamental mechanisms of lipid storage. His team explores how cellular fat handling mechanisms can be harnessed for therapeutic interventions in metabolic disorders.

He maintains active membership in key professional societies including the American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society, Obesity Society, and Dallas County Medical Society, which inform his clinical practice and research direction.