Peter J. Havel

Peter J. Havel is a Professor with joint appointments in the Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. He holds a D.V.M. and Ph.D. in Endocrinology from UC Davis. His research focuses on energy homeostasis, carbohydrate/lipid metabolism, and the role of endocrine systems in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. His lab investigates pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormones, adipocyte hormones (e.g., leptin, adiponectin), and dietary factors like fructose and fat. He has developed the UCD-T2DM rat model to study type 2 diabetes and evaluates bariatric surgery effects on endocrine regulation.

Education: B.S. in Zoology (University of Washington), D.V.M. (UC Davis), Ph.D. in Endocrinology (UC Davis). Research highlights include studies on high-fructose corn syrup's metabolic impacts, bariatric surgery outcomes, and the development of novel animal models. Awards include the 2009 Pfizer Visiting Professor in Obesity and the 2000 Shih-Chun Wang Award.

Scientific contributions span over 150 peer-reviewed articles, including work on fructose-induced metabolic dysfunction, adipokine signaling, and translational nutrition biology. He serves on editorial boards for journals like Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, and is a member of professional societies such as the American Diabetes Association and The Endocrine Society.

His lab, located in Meyer Hall, collaborates extensively on projects involving adipocyte biology, dietary interventions, and hormonal mechanisms. Current studies include investigating adropin's role in circadian cholesterol regulation and the metabolic benefits of ileal interposition surgery.