Thomas Wadden

Thomas Wadden is the Albert J. Stunkard Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. He served as Director of the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders from 1993 to 2017. His research focuses on obesity treatment methods, including lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, and understanding metabolic/psychosocial consequences of weight loss. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and an AB from Brown University.

His work spans over four decades, with contributions to clinical trials evaluating anti-obesity medications (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) and behavioral interventions. He has investigated disparities in weight loss treatments and the psychosocial impact of obesity. Recent studies include analyses of combination therapies, hydrogel capsules, and the long-term efficacy of interventions like Look AHEAD.

Key areas of focus include: (1) optimizing pharmacological and behavioral strategies for weight management, (2) evaluating health outcomes post-bariatric surgery, (3) addressing stigma-related barriers to care, and (4) translational research linking metabolic changes to quality-of-life improvements. His work frequently involves multidisciplinary collaborations across psychiatry, endocrinology, and public health.

Notable contributions include over 500 peer-reviewed publications and leadership roles in major trials such as the Look AHEAD Study and STEP trials. Current efforts emphasize personalized approaches to obesity treatment and advancing evidence-based clinical practices.