Lipid metabolism, particularly triacylglycerol biosynthesis and its critical regulated pathways in liver and adipocytes. Her laboratory is particularly interested in understanding the controls on triacylglycerol synthesis and acyl-CoA partitioning. Using recombinant enzyme isoforms, knockout mice and cell culture models, members of her lab are identifying the regulatory control of enzymes that commit acyl-CoA to either beta-oxidation or to storage as complex lipids. These studies will enable us to understand and treat disorders that involve disturbed lipid metabolism, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Her recently published studies of knockout mice have provided strong evidence that hepatic insulin resistance is caused by glycerolipid intermediates that impair insulin signaling. Her areas of pediatric expertise include inborn errors of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and the genetic hyperlipidemias. She was awarded the Osbourne and Mendel Award for her work on the synthesis and metabolism of triacylglycerol, and four of her recent doctoral students have won national awards for their research.