Sandoval Lab
The Sandoval Lab conducts a variety of research studies focused on the
role of the gut-brain-axis on regulating body weight
and metabolism with
the aim to gain a better understanding the role of the gut-brain axis
in physiology and in the pathophysiology
of obesity and Type 2 diabetes
mellitus. We use a combination of techniques including genetic mouse
models, bariatric surgery,
and in depth metabolic phenotype including in
vivo assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism.
PEOPLE:
PI: Darleen Sandoval, PhD
Dr. Sandoval is currently Professor in Pediatrics and Medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus with a primary appointment in the Section of Nutrition and a secondary appointment in Endocrinology. Dr. Sandoval received her Ph.D. in Exercise Science at Arizona State University and did a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Vanderbilt University in the Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Sandoval's work focuses on the role of the gut-brain axis in regulation of metabolism. She has two general themes to this work. One is focused on understanding the role of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on glucose homeostasis and how dysregulation of GLP-1 is involved with the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The other is focused on understanding the mechanisms underscoring the success of surgery, but also how bariatric surgery impact physiology. She has over 100 publications on this work and is funded by the NIH and American Diabetes Association. Dr. Sandoval has also invested considerable efforts towards Diversity Equity and Inclusion, including as Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Women's Interprofessional Network of The American Diabetes Association. She serves as a permanent member of NIDDK-C study section and recently Co-Chaired the American Heart Association's Signaling 2 Fellowship Peer Review Committee.
Silvania da Silva Teixeira, PhD 
Education:
- B.S. from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Ph.D. from University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Postdoc from University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
Current Position: Research Instructor
Research: I investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms that underlie post-bariatric hypoglycemia and explore whether these changes also contribute to surgery-induced improvements in glucose homeostasis. I am also interested in the actions of thyroid hormone metabolites on metabolism.
Email: silvania.dasilvateixeira@cuanschutz.edu
Work phone: (303) 724-0619
Maigen Bethea, PhD 
Education:
- B.S. from Francis Marion University, Florence, SC
- Ph.D. from University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Research: I study the contribution of vagal afferent neurons to the metabolic success of bariatric surgery. I am also investigating the paracrine actions of Glp1 in the pancreas.
Email: maigen.bethea@cuanschutz.edu
Work Telephone: (303) 724-0619
Tyler Cook, PhD
Education:
- B.S in Psychology from High Point University, High Point, NC
- Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Physiology from Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Research: Mechanisms associated with postbariatric hypoglycemia
Email: tyler.cook@cuanschutz.edu
Work Telephone: (303) 724-0619
Jasmine Hendrix, AS 
Education: Associate of General Science, Certified Veterinary Assistant
Current Position: Professional Research Assistant
Email: Jasmine.Hendrix@cuanschutz.edu
Work phone: (720) 878-6762
Former Lab Members:
Ki Suk Kim, PhD
Education:
- B.S. from Hanyang Univ. Korea
- M.S. from Kyung Hee Univ. Korea
- Ph.D. from Kyung Hee Univ. Korea
- Postdoc from Univ. of Michigan
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Departmentof Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN
Research: I study the therapeutic options for obesity and comorbidities through the lens of bariatric surgery and stem cell biology.
Email: kkim50@uthsc.edu