Dunaif to lead Division of Endocrinology for the Mount Sinai Health System and Icahn School of Medicine

Andrea Dunaif, MD, Charles F. Kettering Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Division of Endocrinology has accepted a new leadership position as Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease for the Mount Sinai Health System and the Icahn School of Medicine beginning May 1.

Dunaif joined the Feinberg School of Medicine as Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine in 2001.  During her 16 years with Northwestern, she served in many leadership roles, including Director of the Center for Clinical Research for the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute from 2007-2010 and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine from 2011-2016.

Dunaif is a prolific researcher in the area of diabetes and women’s health authoring more than 135 original scientific publications.  She recently led the first study of its kind to map susceptibility genes for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of diabetes in women, in individuals of European ancestry. Dunaif has directed the NIH-supported Northwestern University Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) on Sex Differences since 2002.  The research of the NU SCOR focuses on the role of genes, androgens [male hormones] and intrauterine environment in development of PCOS. 

In addition, she directs two NIH-supported training programs.  The Northwestern University Program in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hormone Action institutional Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service T32 Award provides training in the fundamental biology and integrative physiology of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism in a disease-oriented environment.  The Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health K12  program  provides junior faculty with resources and mentoring to transition to independent, interdisciplinary scientific careers focusing on research related to sex differences or women's health.

During her tenure at Northwestern, Dunaif received many awards and honors, including the Arnold Adolph Berthold Medal Prize from German Endocrine Society and a Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Athens Medical School.  In 2013, she gave the Northwestern University Women Faculty Organization Distinguished Woman in Medicine and Science lecture.  She served as President of the Endocrine Society, the largest global organization for endocrinology, from 2005-2006.

The Department offers its congratulations to Dr. Dunaif on her new role, and most sincere thanks for her years of service.