“Transgender Endocrinology” was the theme of the 14th Annual Pioneers in Endocrinology Workshop held at Rutgers on October 11, 2022, at the Busch Student Center.
The workshop was sponsored by the Rutgers Endocrine Program; Rutgers-RWJMS Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition; the Department of Animal Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences; and the NExT Center, NJ Institute of Food Health and Nutrition.
Dipak Sarkar, director of the Rutgers Endocrine Program and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, hosted approximately 70 attendees.
Opening remarks were presented by Dipak Sarkar and Michael Zwick, senior vice president for research.
Following the opening statements, Gloria Bachmann, professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medicine and Associate Dean for Women’s Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, introduced the opening video of Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Levine welcomed attendees with recorded remarks on transgender medicine.
Louis Amorosa, M.D., Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, introduced the first speaker, Joshua D. Safer, M.D. FACP, FACE, Executive Director Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, Mount Sinai Health System. He is coauthor of the current Endocrine Society Guidelines for the care of transgender patients. He also serves on international committees developing standard of care and promoting scientific inquiry in transgender medicine. His lecture was entitled: “The Biological Underpinnings of Gender Identity – Implications for Gender Affirming Medical Treatment Strategy.” His work demonstrates how the health and quality of life of transgender patients improve with increased access to care.
Sue Shapses, Ph.D., Professor in Nutritional Sciences and Director of the Human Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism Center, NJ-IFNH, introduced the second speaker, Vin Tangpricha, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipids, Emory University School of Medicine, who presented his talk titled “Transgender Medicine: Lessons from the Past, Present and Future.” Dr. Tangpricha has served as president of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and currently serves on its board of directors. His publications focus on vitamin D research and on different health conditions affecting transgender persons.
A question-and-answer session subsequent to each lecture was led by Carol Bagnell, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Animal Sciences. The morning session was followed by a luncheon.
The afternoon featured a poster session displaying advanced endocrine research being conducted at Rutgers and other universities.
Industry colleagues Research Diets and VWR presented display booths at the Busch Student Center. All contributions to the workshop were generous and much appreciated.
To learn more about the Rutgers Endocrine Program and next year’s Pioneers in Endocrinology Workshop, contact Dr. Dipak Sarkar (dipak.sarkar@rutgers.edu). Additional photos and a recording of the event will be available on the Rutgers Endocrine Program website (http://endocrine.rutgers.edu/).
The workshop was sponsored by the following partners:
- Rutgers Endocrine Program
- Department of Animal Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS)
- Rutgers-RWJMS Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition
- NExT Center, NJ Institute of Food Health and Nutrition
- Research Diets, Inc.
- VWR
Photos: Jennifer Simon, editorial/media relations specialist-Office of Communications and Marketing, and Stacey Pontoriero, senior program coordinator-Dept. of Animal Sciences.
