Jessica Cassavaugh, MD, PhD has received two grants for her work on “Estrogen, Inflammation and Metabolic Disease.” One 2-year $250,000 grant was from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) and the other 2-year $80,000 award is a Career Development Grant from our Department:
Dr. Cassavaugh describes her work below:
“Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is linked to increased all-cause mortality and morbidity, particularly among intensive care patients. Furthermore, MASLD is increasingly becoming the primary reason for liver transplantation. Aging women face an elevated risk of MASLD-associated cardiovascular issues, although the underlying mechanism is elusive. Thi study aims to elucidate the impact of estrogen on the progression of metabolic disorders, particularly MASLD. It will explore the interplay between estrogen and the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a recognized mediator of steatosis, in relation to inflammation, metabolism, and MASLD progression. This study promises novel insights into the intricate regulation of estrogen, inflammation, and metabolic strain, laying the groundwork for future investigations into the human experience of MASLD and aims to identify molecular targets for innovative interventions.”