Nationally renowned endocrinologist Louis J. Muglia, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics, has been named chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism.
“Lou Muglia is one of those rare triple-threat pediatric scholars,” said Alan L. Schwartz, Ph.D., M.D., the Harriet B. Spoehrer Professor and head of pediatrics. “He is an outstanding clinician in pediatric endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes; he is an engaging and passionate teacher revered by trainees in the clinical sphere and in the research laboratory; and Lou is a creative and imaginative investigator in neuroendocrinology.
“We are most fortunate to have him as division director.”
Muglia, who also is an associate professor of molecular biology and pharmacology and of obstetrics and gynecology, is nationally recognized for his studies of the roles of neuroendocrine regulatory systems in physiology and development.
He has developed powerful mouse systems to explore the role of the neuropeptide hormones that are produced during fetal and postnatal development by an infant’s hypothalamus, an area in the brain that controls involuntary functions such as body temperature and hormone release.
In recent years, Muglia has extended his interest to defining the mechanism for the timing of childbirth. Using novel genetic techniques, he has identified the pathway for prostaglandin synthesis that initiates term labor in mice. He has also established that the hormone oxytocin plays a critical role in maintaining pregnancy and in the progression of labor. This neuropeptide stimulates contraction of the uterine muscle.
As division director, Muglia aims to build upon the basic science and clinical research programs within the division. His team is devoted to improving care for children with diabetes mellitus and neuroendocrine disorders — particularly those that arise in association with brain tumors and disorders of bone and mineral metabolism.
“I am honored to lead our division, one with a record of excellence in medical education, research and patient care, in an exceptional Department of Pediatrics,” Muglia said. “I am very excited about this opportunity to further enhance our ability to provide outstanding endocrinology and diabetes services to our patients, their families and our referring physicians, while developing the academic careers of the next generation of physician-scientists and physician-educators.”
In 1999, Muglia received the Young Investigator Award from the Society of Pediatric Research for his research on the roles of neuroendocrine regulatory systems. The award recognizes the scholarly accomplishment of an individual younger than 40.
Muglia also is a scholar of the Child Health Research Center of Excellence in Developmental Biology at the medical school and a career scholar of the Burroughs-Wellcome Foundation. His clinical interests include a wide variety of endocrine disorders.
He is a member of the national honorary medical society Alpha Omega Alpha, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Endocrine Society and the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society.
Muglia joined the University in 1996.
“Ever since then, Lou’s profound influence on basic biological research in the Department of Pediatrics and throughout the School of Medicine has talented trainees flocking to his laboratory,” Schwartz said. “I have no doubt that he shall lead the division to the very top national level.”