Teppei Fujikawa

Teppei Fujikawa, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Hypothalamic Research Center. He completed postdoctoral training at Kyoto University, Geneva University, and UT Southwestern, focusing on neuroendocrine mechanisms of metabolism. His research investigates how the CNS regulates metabolic adaptations to exercise and glucose homeostasis independent of insulin. Key areas include ghrelin signaling, hypothalamic pathways in metabolic diseases, and translational strategies for diabetes treatment. Current lab members include visiting scholars and postdocs exploring ghrelin’s role in depression, insulin resistance, and exercise physiology.

Education: Postdoctoral Fellowships at Kyoto University, Geneva University, and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Academic roles include Instructor (2014) and Assistant Professor (2021 return) at UT Southwestern.

• Research Focus: Neuronal mechanisms of metabolic regulation, exercise-induced metabolic adaptations, hypothalamic control of glucose metabolism
• Techniques: Transgenic mice, optogenetics, in vivo imaging, biochemical assays

Lab milestones include defining ghrelin’s role in stress-induced feeding, glucoregulation, and antidepressant effects. Current projects target CNS contributions to exercise benefits and insulin-independent glucose control. The lab collaborates globally, generating tools like ghrelin-Cre mice and cell lines used worldwide.