Theodore C. Friedman

Clinical Professor Theodore C. Friedman at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a leading endocrinologist specializing in adrenal/pituitary disorders and neuroendocrine mechanisms linking nicotine use to metabolic diseases. His work spans clinical research (NIH-funded trials on testosterone therapy for hypopituitarism) and basic science on glucocorticoid metabolism in diabetes/obesity. As a Cushing's syndrome expert, he pioneered diagnostic protocols and authored a lay book on thyroid diseases.

• Active NIH grants: SummerSART (R25DA057713), NGSART-CU (R25DA050723)
• Collaborates with UCLA, CDU, and multi-institutional teams

Research focuses on nicotine's metabolic effects (insulin resistance, NAFLD), HPA axis regulation, and glucocorticoid tissue dynamics. His 2023-2024 publications highlight nicotine's role in hepatic/cardiovascular dysfunction and racial disparities in NAFLD. Recent work explores CBD's potential against nicotine-induced metabolic damage.

Scientific Impact:

• Over 150 PubMed publications
• Highly cited in endocrinology, metabolism, and substance abuse
• Key contributor to NIH-funded e-cigarette toxicity studies

As Principal Investigator of CDU's Drug Abuse Research Development Program (R24DA017298), he mentors diverse researchers. His clinical work addresses challenging pituitary/adrenal diagnoses and testosterone therapy for endocrine disorders.