Biography

Dr. Repa’s research at UT Southwestern focuses on the effects of diet and drugs on nuclear receptor regulation of gene expression, and how these signaling pathways contribute to such diseases as atherosclerosis,Type II diabetes, and the neurodegenerative disorder Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC).  Her research is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms by which nuclear hormone receptors regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in the liver, intestine, pancreatic islet, and central nervous system. Integrative approaches (transcriptomics, lipidomics), unique mouse strains, physiologic methods, and cell-based assays provide a comprehensive analysis of nuclear receptor pathways involved in disease progression and therapy.

With the recent findings that hearing loss is an early consequence of NPC disease, and also results with cyclodextrin therapy for NPC, work is underway to determine the localization and role(s) of nuclear receptors and lipids on cochlear function. 

 

Education

Undergraduate
Uni of Wisconsin-Madison (1979), Biochemistry
Graduate School
Uni of Wisconsin-Madison (1990), Nutritional Sciences
Graduate School
Uni of Wisconsin-Madison (1990), Nutrition
Graduate School
Uni of Wisconsin-Madison (1996), Nutrition

Research Interest

  • Bile acids, Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Lipidomics
  • LXR, FXR, PXR, beta-cell, islet
  • Neurodegenerative disease
  • Nuclear hormone receptor
  • Sensorineural hearing loss
  • Transcription

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Honors & Awards

  • J. Denis McGarry Award for Scientific Excellence in Diabetes
    Awarded by the North Texas American Diabetes Association (2014)
  • Everson Award for distinguished alumni
    presented by the Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2002)