Stefano Romeo new Professor at MedH

What is your new role at MedH?

I am a Professor in Clinical Diabetology and Senior Consultant in Endocrinology.

Tell us about your research background.

I am a physician scientist, and I am passioned about human and molecular genetics.  My research focus is to identify novel genetic variants contributing to metabolic disorders, including steatotic liver disease (SLD), a disease tightly associated with diabetes mellitus. My research field ranges from genetic association studies in large cohorts to molecular studies in organoids aiming to understand mechanisms of disease. As a physician, I primarily focus on genetically driven hyperlipidaemias.

What is your current research focus?

In the field of SLD, among other works, I am studying PNPLA3, PSD3 and MARC1 three genes with diverse intracellular effects involved in intracellular triglyceride homeostasis in the hepatocytes. 

Moreover, by identifying novel genetic determinants of SLD and using the genetic variants in two polygenic partitioned risk scores, I identified at least two types of SLD with different clinical trajectories. One is liver specific, and one is systemic and entwined with metabolic syndrome and CVD. The focus of the next decade will be to elucidate mechanisms and interorgan cross talk of the systemic SLD.

What are your plans as Professor at MedH?

I will build up a successful research and clinical group focusing on SLD and CVD and contribute with my scientific and human skills to an outstanding environment. 

What do you wish to achieve with your research?

The aim of my research is to understand predisposition and mechanisms of metabolic diseases to improve prediction, and to implement Precision Medicine.