معرفی
Whitney Besse, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Nephrology at Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine. She is a physician-scientist with a focus on genetic kidney and liver diseases, particularly polycystic disorders. She is affiliated with the Janeway Society, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Program, and the Yale Center for Genomic Health.
Education:
- BS (Hon), Biomedical Engineering, Brown University (2003)
- MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine (2009)
- Residency, Yale School of Medicine (2012)
- Clinical Fellow, Research Track, Yale School of Medicine (2015)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Yale School of Medicine (2018)
Dr. Besse's research centers on the genetics of inherited kidney diseases, with a primary focus on polycystic kidney and liver diseases. She employs exome sequencing, gene discovery, and functional studies in vitro and in animal models to uncover novel disease genes and understand molecular mechanisms, particularly those involving Polycystin-1 maturation. Her work aims to translate genetic findings into improved diagnostics and targeted therapies. Her recent publications highlight her contributions to identifying genes such as DNAJB11, GANAB, and ALG9 as causative in atypical or isolated forms of cystic disease, advancing the understanding of disease spectra and genetic modifiers.
Scientific Awards:
- Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award
- Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Award
- Mentored Research Award
- Clinical Scientist Development Award
- Young Physician-Scientist Award
- Research Fellowship Award
Dr. Besse has served as a reviewer for journals such as American Journal of Kidney Disease and Nature Communications, and is a member of thesis committees, including for MD/PhD student Patricia Bunda. She has been the Principal Investigator for a study on genetic determinants of polycystic livers and a Sub-Investigator in a study on aneurysms in ADPKD. Her laboratory operates at the intersection of clinical nephrology and molecular genetics, contributing significantly to the field through collaborative research and national working groups.