Speaker Profile

M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic

Andres J. Acosta focuses his research on gastrointestinal physiology to understand the complexity of food intake regulation and obesity. Obesity is a primary cause of type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Dr. Acosta's laboratory utilizes a combination of genetics, physiology, pharmacology, proteomics, metabolomics, and gastrointestinal and brain imaging to understand food intake regulation and to modulate them for the treatment of obesity. Dr. Acosta's goal is to treat and ultimately cure obesity, which he considers this century's health epidemic. Dr. Acosta's work on individualized obesity therapy aims to identify the right therapy for the right patient, minimizing side effects. Eventually, Dr. Acosta hopes to understand the mechanisms behind food intake regulation and weight to develop novel techniques and therapies. In the meantime, Dr. Acosta shares his knowledge and research experience with patients with obesity in Mayo Clinic's weight loss clinic.