Sally Radovick, MD

Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Senior Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Chancellor’s Scholar, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences 

In this lecture, Dr. Radovick will demonstrate that kisspeptin, a recently identified neural protein, provides the major signal for pubertal onset and reproductive development. Kisspeptin, which is also found in the liver, is increased in obesity, and has a role in insulin secretion by the pancreas. Hyperinsulinism induced by obesity results in abnormalities in pubertal development and reproduction. Dr. Radovick will outline a model for kisspeptin as the link between reproduction and metabolism.