Meet Our Team

Steven K. Grinspoon, MD, chief of the Metabolism Unit, is a professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, director of the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard and the Massachusetts General Hospital Endowed Chair in Neuroendocrinology and Metabolism. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians. He received the 2014 Edward H. Ahrens Jr. Award for Patient Oriented Research from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science as well as the 2016 Gerald Aurbach Laureate Award from the Endocrine Society for Translational Research.

Dr. Grinspoon is a recognized expert in the nutritional regulation of pituitary function. His work encompasses a broad focus including the mechanism by which neuroendocrine function regulates adipose tissue distribution, the mechanisms of insulin resistance in fat redistribution and acquired lipodystrophy and the role of altered nutrient trafficking to ectopic adipose depots in association with visceral obesity. His efforts investigating GHRH1-44, to selectively reduce visceral fat. His efforts led to the FDA approval in November 2010 of GHRH as the first therapy to reduce visceral fat in HIV lipodystrophy and a recent effort to leverage the potent effect of this drug to reduce fat and prevent fibrosis in NAFLD. He has co-chaired the Research Affairs Committee for the Endocrine Society and directed the Endocrine Society’s Clinical Investigators Workshop. In addition, he has served as the Pfizer Visiting Professor at University of California at Davis.

Dr. Grinspoon has chaired the AHA State of the Science Conference on Cardiovascular Disease in HIV. In this regard, he directs a large multicenter NIH-funded trial, REPRIEVE, to investigate strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease in HIV, stemming in part from his work demonstrating a unique atherosclerotic phenotype related to immune activation in HIV. REPRIEVE includes a large sub-study investigating the inflammatory mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in HIV using CT angiography and flow cytometric analyses. He is also investigating the effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade to improve insulin resistance and inflammation in HIV-infected patients. He also Directs the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard.

Current Research Studies:

• MIneralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism for CardiovascuLar hEalth in HIV (The MIRACLE HIV Study)
• Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE)
• Growth Hormone Dynamics and Cardiac Steatosis in HIV
• Use of 99mTc-tilmanocept for Imaging of Macrophage-specific Inflammation
• Genetics of Dysfunctional Adipose Tissue
• Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard (NORCH)

Recent Grants & Awards:

• University of Virginia, School of Medicine – Michael O. Thorner Distinguished Lectureship in Endocrinology
• Executive Committee, NIDDK Initiative to Advance the Careers of URM’s in Academia through the NORC Network
• University Trustee, University of Rochester School of Medicine

Contact: sgrinspoon@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Markella V. Zanni, MD, is a physician in the Massachusetts Department of Medicine (Endocrinology) and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Zanni’s research examines sex-specific hormonal and immune mechanisms of cardiometabolic risk in special populations, including people aging with HIV. She is Principal Investigator of four NIH R01-funded projects and a K24 mentoring grant focused on these themes. Dr. Zanni also serves as Vice Chair of the largest international randomized placebo-controlled trial identifying a heart disease prevention strategy among individuals aging with HIV–the REPRIEVE Trial. She has published over 100 original articles in journals across disciplines. She has been recognized with the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Executive Committee on Research. Dr. Zanni sustains a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring. She serves as the Director of the Harvard Medical School Clinical Elective in Endocrinology and the Director of Faculty Advancement in the Endocrine Division, both at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Current Research Studies:

• Arterial Inflammation and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Among Women with HIV: Missing Pieces to the MI Risk Puzzle
• Cardiovascular Disease Risk in HIV-infected Women: Sex-specific Mechanisms of Risk and Risk Reduction among REPRIEVE Trial Participants
• Mechanisms of Cardiac Dysfunction in HIV and the Effect of Statins: A Cardiac MRI Study

Recent Grants & Awards:

• Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award, MGH Executive Committee on Research
• Award for Excellence in Research Mentoring, MGH Department of Medicine Residency Program
• Stephen Calderwood Excellence in Mentoring Award, MGH Department of Medicine
• Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard Mentoring for Inclusion and Diversity Award

Contact: MZANNI@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH, is an obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS). Dr. Anekwe received her BA in molecular biology from Princeton University, her MD from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and her MPH from Columbia University. She was a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar for both her undergraduate and graduate studies, and 2006-2007 Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Fellow. Dr. Anekwe completed her internship in Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital, and went on to complete her residency in General Preventive Medicine and Public Health at SUNY Stony Brook University Medical Center. Before joining MGH/HMS in August 2018, Dr. Anekwe was a staff physician at Long Island Weight Loss Institute, the largest private obesity medicine practice in Long Island, NY. Dr. Anekwe’s professional interests are in the areas of clinical nutrition, obesity, non-surgical weight management, health policy and community health outreach, with a special interest in underserved communities. Dr. Anekwe will soon be joining Newton-Wellesley Hospital, an affiliate of Mass General Brigham, as medical director of the Center for Weight Loss Surgery. She is looking forward to building the medical management component of obesity treatment in the community hospital setting, in addition to continuing to engage in clinical, research and teaching endeavors at MGH/HMS.

Contact: CANEKWE@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Allison Arpante, FNP-BC, is a family nurse practitioner and co-investigator who helps to implement clinical research trials with the Metabolism Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her current research projects include identifying novel pharmacologic treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and associated cardiovascular risk. Additionally, she helps to implement a clinical research study that aims to understand cardiometabolic risk associated with in-utero exposure to HIV.

Ms. Arpante’s professional background includes degrees in Exercise Science and Nursing as well as several years of experience in adult ICU nursing. Her experience in the acute care setting motivated her pursuit of research on prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

Current Research Studies:

• Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog to Improve Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Cardiovascular Risk
• In Utero Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Endpoints in Early Life (PROSPER)
• HIV Exposure In Utero and Metabolic Disease Risk in HIV-Negative Young Adults (The HIV HEREDITY Study)

Contact: aarpante@mgh.harvard.edu

Sarah Chu, MSN, ANP-BC, is an adult nurse practitioner engaged in clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research interests include the mechanisms by which systemic immune activation and inflammation influence cardiovascular health amongst special populations, particularly women with HIV. Ms. Chu has helped lead an NIH-R01 funded study on this theme and other studies on whether statin therapy helps preserve diastolic function among people with HIV. She currently serves as the project manager for the REPRIEVE trial—a randomized placebo-controlled trial that assessed whether pitavastatin vs. placebo can prevent cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV.

In addition to conducting clinical research, she is a member of the MGH Clinical Research Nurse Collaborative and the COVID Safety Officer for the Metabolism Unit. Ms. Chu has received the MGH Pillar of Excellence Award and is a dedicated volunteer health educator at different Boston HIV community service organizations.

Current Research Studies:

• Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE)
• Arterial Inflammation and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Among Women with HIV: Missing Pieces to the MI Risk Puzzle (INFORM)
• Mechanisms of Cardiac Dysfunction in HIV and the Effect of Statins: A Cardiac MRI Study
• Inflammation and Cardiopulmonary Health in Women (INHALE)

Contact: SCHU4@mgh.harvard.edu

Lindsay Fourman, MD, is an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Fourman’s research explores mechanisms of ectopic fat accumulation and downstream pathology in the liver and in the heart. She has published on the manner by which redressing ectopic fat deposition through administration of a hypothalamic hormone analogue may improve end-organ function in special populations. Her latest research interests include mechanisms by which epigenetic imprinting may predispose HIV-exposed but uninfected infants to metabolic complications later in life. Her work has been published in Lancet HIV, Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight and Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. She has received a K23 Career Development Award, a KL2 MeRIT grant from the Harvard Catalyst, the John Potts Pilot Award from Mass General's Endocrinology Division, and a Pilot Translational Research Grant from Mass General’s Department of Medicine. Clinically, Dr. Fourman manages patients with complex metabolic and neuroendocrine diseases, and directs the Metabolic Disorders Conference.

Current Research Studies:

• HIV Exposure In Utero and Metabolic Disease Risk in HIV-Negative Young Adults (The HIV HEREDITY Study)
• Growth Hormone Dynamics and Cardiac Steatosis in HIV
• Nuclear Permeability as a Novel Paradigm for Premature Aging in HIV

Recent Grants & Awards:

• K23 Career Development Award – In Utero HIV Exposure and Metabolic Disease Risk in HIV-Uninfected Young Adults
• Nutrition Obesity Research Pilot and Feasibility Award – Metabolic Sequelae of in Utero HIV Exposure: A Pilot Study
• MGH DOM Pilot Translational Research Award – A Novel Mechanism and Therapeutic Strategy to Address Premature Aging in HIV
• John T. Potts, Jr. Pilot Award Program of the Mass General Endocrine Division

Contact: lfourman@mgb.org

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Arijeet Gattu, MBBS, is an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. He did his post-doctoral training at Yale School of Medicine, followed by his clinical/research fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Joslin Diabetes Center under the mentorship of Dr. Ronald Kahn.

Dr. Gattu's research focuses on 1) how insulin signaling is altered in insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, 2) how altered hormonal signaling causes abnormalities in ectopic fat accumulation, and 3) how the genes interact with the environment, that is, nutrition in these processes. He uses patient-derived human iPS cells and genetically engineered rodent models to address these.

His clinical interests are understanding hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and lipodystrophy. His other clinical interests include understanding lipid and metabolic disorders in South Asians (Current Research Studies).

Contact: agattu@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Janet Lo, MD, MS, is clinical director of Lipid and Metabolism Associates and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lo’s research aims to elucidate mechanisms contributing to increased metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk among people with HIV. She is principal investigator of NIH R01-funded projects on these themes. Dr. Lo has published research demonstrating increased subclinical atherosclerotic plaque burden among men with HIV treated with antiretroviral therapy and revealing effects of statin therapy to reduce such plaque. Dr. Lo’s work has been published in JAMA, Lancet HIV, AIDS, JAIDS, Journal of Infectious Diseases and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. She has been recognized with the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Executive Committee on Research and with the Gilbert Daniels Teaching Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Endocrine Division. Dr. Lo also serves as Associate Program Director of the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Current Research Studies:

• A Study of the Gut Barrier and Blood Vessel Inflammation in Individuals With and Without HIV
• Reducing Arterial Inflammation and Improving Metabolic Health by Dual CCR2 and CCR5 Antagonism in People Living with HIV

Recent Grants & Awards:

• Reducing Arterial Inflammation and Improving Metabolic Health by Dual CCR2 and CCR5 Antagonism in People Living with HIV, NIH, R01HL149516

Contact:  JLO@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Sara Looby, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, is a clinical investigator in the Metabolism Unit and at the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Looby’s NIH-funded work investigates metabolic, psychological and vasomotor symptoms among women with HIV, and the association of menopause status/degree of ovarian aging with cardiovascular disease in women with HIV. She has published widely in noteworthy journals. Dr. Looby received the Claflin Distinguished Scholar award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Executive Committee on Research, the A. Clifford Barger Mentoring Award from Harvard Medical School, and funding from the NIH, the Harvard Center for AIDS Research, the Nutrition and Obesity Research Center at Harvard, and the William F. Connell family.

In addition to her research activities, Dr. Looby is a dedicated volunteer health educator at local HIV community service organizations and has received honors from Harvard Medical School and community organizations. Dr. Looby established the Connell Postdoctoral Fellowship in Nursing Research, aimed to train doctorally-prepared nurses in clinical research within an interdisciplinary academic medical center environment.

Current Research Studies:

• Cardiovascular Disease Risk in HIV-infected Women: Sex-specific Mechanisms of Risk and Risk Reduction among REPRIEVE Trial Participants
• Assessment of Sweetener Knowledge and Consumption in People Living with HIV; Health Disparities in Menopause

Contact: SLOOBY@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Suman Srinivasa, MD, MS, is an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Her research concentrates on exploring mechanisms and treatment strategies for inflammation and cardiometabolic disease in HIV. She has led work exploring how activation of the renin-aldosterone-angiotensin system (RAAS) may contribute to adipose tissue dysfunction, systemic/arterial inflammation and end-organ cardiovascular disease. Further, she serves as Principal Investigator of an NIH K23 award and an NIH R01 project-award exploring effects of RAAS blockade to ameliorate cardiometabolic risk. Another focus of Dr. Srinivasa’s research to is to explore whether reduced adipose-specific Dicer expression in HIV contributes to the development of metabolic and lipodystrophy-related complications in HIV. Her work has been published in JCI Insight, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the Journal of Infectious Diseases, AIDS and JAIDS. She has been recognized with the Endocrine Society Early Investigator Award, the Anne Klibanski Visiting Scholar Award, and the Gilead Research Scholar Award. She also serves as Program Representative for the Harvard Medical School Master of Medical Sciences in Clinical Investigation Program.

Current Research Studies:

• MIRABELLA HIV (MIneralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism By EpLerenone to Lower Arterial Inflammation in HIV)
• ENding subClinical Heart failure using an Aldosterone and Natriuretic peptide Targeted treatMENT in HIV (The ENCHANTMENT HIV study)
• Critical Effects of Dicer on Adipose Tissue in HIV Lipodystrophy
• Primary Aldosteronism and COVID19-related Management, Disease Severity and Outcomes (The PACman Study)

Recent Grants & Awards:

• Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Program in HIV - Critical Effects of Dicer on Adipose Tissue in HIV Lipodystrophy
• Anne Klibanski Visiting Scholar Award

Contact: SSRINIVASA@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Takara Stanley, MD, is a pediatric endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Stanley’s research centers on better understanding hormonal, metabolic and body composition abnormalities in obesity,  and HIV-infection, as well as metabolic and hormonal underpinnings of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).  She also has a strong interest in pediatric obesity, clinical outcomes of current therapies, and risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes in youth. She has published on effects of growth hormone releasing analogue to reduce ectopic fat deposition in the visceral adipose depot and in the liver. She is principal investigator of an NIH R01-funded project further exploring this theme. Her work has been published in JAMA, Lancet HIV, Clinical Infectious Diseases, the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Obesity and Clinical Endocrinology. Dr. Stanley has a strong interest in education and mentorship, and works on two programs to improve mentorship and career development for early career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds.  Additionally, through the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard, Dr. Stanley serves as director of the Pilot and Feasibility Program and Associate Director for Junior Faculty Development and Mentorship.

Current Research Studies:

• Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog to Improve Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Cardiovascular Risk

Contact: TSTANLEY@mgh.harvard.edu

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Mabel Toribio, MD, is an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Toribio’s research focuses on cardiometabolic disease risk in diverse patient populations. She has published on novel techniques to quantify arterial macrophage infiltration as well as on effects of statins on markers of immune activation and on the proteome among people with HIV. She has also published on the effects of newly initiated antiretroviral therapy on arterial inflammation and cholesterol efflux in this population. Her latest research investigates cardiometabolic effects of gender-affirming hormonal therapy among gender-diverse individuals. Her work has been published in JAMA Cardiology, the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Journal of Infectious Diseases. She has been awarded an individual Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the National Institutes of Health, a KL2 MeRIT grant from the Harvard Catalyst, a research development award from the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research, the Sanchez and Ferguson Research Faculty Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Medicine, an NIH K23 Mentored Patient Oriented Career Development Award, an American Heart Association-Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and an MGH Executive Committee on Research/ Center for Diversity and Inclusion Physician and/or Scientist Award. In addition to her research endeavors, Dr. Toribio also is deeply invested in teaching, mentoring and recruiting trainees from under-represented backgrounds in medicine/science.

Current Research Projects:

• Effects of Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy Among Transgender Women
• Transgender Health Provider Survey Study
• Immunomodulatory Effects of PCSK9 Inhibition – The INSPIRAR study

Recent Grants & Awards:

• MGH COVID-19 Junior Investigator Support Initiative Award
• MGH Executive Committee on Research/ Center for Diversity and Inclusion Physician and/or Scientist Award
• MGH Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Champion Award

Contact: MPTORIBIO@mgh.harvard.edu  

Harvard Catalyst Profile

Harvard SOGIE Profile

Allie Walpert, FNP, is a family nurse practitioner who is engaged in clinical research within the Metabolism Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research interests include treatment strategies for inflammation and cardiovascular disease in HIV. She serves as co-investigator on the NIH-R01 funded MIRACLE HIV and ENCHANTMENT HIV studies—both randomized, placebo-controlled trials examining the effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system related pharmacologic interventions on the cardiovascular health of those living with HIV. She is the principal investigator of a pilot survey study aimed at gaining insight into the communication of incidental findings found during research scans. Previously, Ms. Walpert worked in both psychiatric and medical settings, providing inpatient and outpatient care as a nurse practitioner. Thematically related to her current work, she helped conduct a trial assessing cardiovascular risk with antipsychotic medication use. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her academic pursuits, including the William F. Connell School of Nursing Merit Scholarship, McLean Hospital Nursing Scholarship, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing Diversity Award. In addition, she was designated a Commonwealth Honors College Scholar for her honors research project entitled, Nurses’ Perception of Cultural Competence of their Workplace Environment.

Current Research Studies:

• MIneralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism for CardiovascuLar hEalth in HIV (The MIRACLE HIV Study)
• ENding subClinical Heart failure using an Aldosterone and Natriuretic peptide Targeted treatMENT in HIV (The ENCHANTMENT HIV study)
• Primary Aldosteronism and COVID19-related Management, Disease Severity and Outcomes (The PACman Study)
• A Pilot Study of Research Participant Perspectives on Nurse Management and Communication of Incidental Findings Identified on Research Scans (The PERSPECTIVE Study)

Recent Grants & Awards:

• Massachusetts General Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association Grant
• MGH Patient Safety Star 2022

Contact: awalpert@mgh.harvard.edu

Leora Allen, MD, is a pediatric endocrinology clinical and research fellow. Her primary research interests are obesity and its related complications, including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. She will be working on the DISCOVERY Study, which will be following children at risk for Type 2 Diabetes to better determine risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes and strategies to prevent its onset. She is committed to pediatric research to build the evidence base to address our greatest health challenges in children, among which are obesity and its complications. During her pediatric residency at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, she worked on research about healthcare delivery in the primary care setting, including improving rates of HPV vaccinations and understanding disparities in lead screening in childhood.

Márton Kolossváry, MD, PhD, is an affiliated research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital. He specializes in advanced statistical techniques, and artificial intelligence-based image analysis of radiological images. His research interests are in developing solutions for precision phenotyping of diseases from radiological images. This may help understand how different risk and genetic factors affect the development and progression of pathologies. Dr. Kolossváry received his MD diploma from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. He defended his PhD at the University on the topic of characterizing coronary atherosclerosis on computed tomography using advanced image processing techniques. Dr. Kolossváry spent over a year as a postdoctoral researcher at Johns Hopkins University, Department of Pathology-Division of Informatics and was also a T32 research fellow for two years at the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has received several research awards from the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and the Radiological Society of North America. He is also the creator and developer of the Radiomics Image Analysis (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/RIA/index.html, >150,000 downloads) software package which calculates radiomic features from medical images, and also the parseRPDR (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/parseRPDR/index.html, >7000 downloads) software package which support data analysis of the Research Patient Data Registry at Mass General Brigham.

Current Research Studies:

• Effect of COVID-19 on soluble proteomic markers in individuals with HIV
• Association between soluble proteomic markers with coronary artery disease phenotypes as assessed by radiomics

Contact: MKOLOSSVARY@mgh.harvard.edu 

Sara L. Stockman, MD, PhD, is an endocrine clinical fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a postdoctoral research fellow in the Metabolism Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County in the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in biological sciences and BA in psychology. She received her MD and PhD at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Her graduate work with Dr. Margaret McCarthy in the Program in Neuroscience uncovered contributions of sexually dimorphic epigenetic regulation to different developmental trajectories of the male and female hippocampus. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine with an emphasis on Women’s Health at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Stockman's research interests center on sex differences in cardiometabolic diseases and how reproductive conditions modulate cardiovascular risk. Her current primary projects with Drs. Markella Zanni and Mabel Toribio include investigation of the immunomodulatory effects of PSCK9 inhibition using a novel targeted molecular imaging approach and evaluation of the association between hormone replacement therapy and cardiovascular disease risk among women with primary ovarian insufficiency utilizing clinical data from a large academic health system.