Matt Potthoff, PhD, Associate Professor in Neuroscience and Pharmacology, is one of six researchers named to the University of Iowa Health Care Distinguished Scholars Program (DSP). This program aims to support internationally recognized scientists who are leaders in their fields of research. Each of them will receive $200,000 grants per year to support the expansion of their research for three years.

Dr. Potthoff studies energy homeostasis and metabolism, particularly in the liver.  In particular, Dr. Potthoff focuses on the many roles of  the liver hormone FGF21 in controlling multiple functions in a variety of tissues such as the central nervous system that may contribute to obesity and other metabolic diseases.

An initiative meant to catalyze new discovery, the DSP will name six new scholars next year and the year after, supporting a total of 18 scholars at a time. Scholars named to the program will have the option of submitting renewal applications at the end of their term. The other five scholars named with Potthoff are Christopher Ahern, PhD, professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Maria Spies, PhD, professor of Biochemistry; David Stoltz, MD, PhD, professor in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine; Samuel Young, PhD, associate professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology; and Jian Zhang, MD, professor of Pathology.