Faculty

Director, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology
Bradley Miller, MD, PhD
Professor
612-624-5409
mille685@umn.edu


Bio
Dr. Bellin completed her pediatric residency and pediatric endocrine fellowship training at the University of Minnesota, and joined the faculty in 2009, with a joint appointment in Pediatrics and Surgery. Dr. Bellin's research focus is islet transplantation (transplantation of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas) for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and for patients who have their pancreas removed to treat severe chronic pancreatitis. She provides care for children with diabetes or general endocrine disorders at M Health Maple Grove Clinic and for islet transplant recipients at the University site.
Research Summary
Total Pancreatectomy Islet Auto Transplant, Chronic Pancreatitis
Clinical Summary
Chronic Pancreatitis, TPIAT, T1DM, General Endocrine
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Dr. Megan Oberle Bensignor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes as well as a Core Faculty in the University of Minnesota Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine. She is an obesity medicine specialist and a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist. Dr. Bensignor was selected as one of Mples/St. Paul Magazine's 2020 "Top Doctors: Rising Stars.
"Dr. Bensignor's area of research involves evaluating the effects of eating patterns on obesity risk and appetite, in addition to novel and effective treatments for youth with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. Her clinical interest include youth with obesity, adolescents with Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance, and children with hypoglycemia disorders.
Research Summary
Clinical Trials in Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
Clinical Summary
Type 2 Diabetes, Weight Management, Hypoglycemia, General Endocrinology
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Bio
Dr. Eric Bomberg is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Core Faculty Member for the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his Medical Degree from the University of Southern California. He then completed a residency in Medicine/Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, followed by fellowships in both Adult Endocrinology and Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). In addition, he completed a Masters in Clinical Research at UCSF.
Dr. Bomberg is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Internal Medicine, and has sub-specialty certification in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism from the American Board of Internal Medicine. His initial interest in pediatric obesity was motivated by his personal struggle with this disease and subsequent 90-pound weight loss during adolescence. His early research focused on the actions of neuropeptides and their effects on feeding and metabolism, while his later research has focused on the use of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy in children and adolescents with pediatric obesity. In addition, he has become interested in precision medicine approaches for the treatment of pediatric obesity, with a specific focus on discovering person-specific characteristics predicting response to anti-obesity interventions.
Research Summary
Pharmacogenomics of Obesity Therapy
Clinical Summary
Pediatric and Adult Obesity
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Dr. José Jiménez-Vega is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and in the Division of Endocrinology. Dr. Jiménez-Vega earned his medical degree from Universidad de Ciencias Médicas in San José, Costa Rica. He completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Minnesota, and his pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Dr. Jiménez-Vega's areas of clinical research interest include Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and obesity in children and adolescents. He is passionate about caring for people from diverse backgrounds including underrepresented minorities, immigrants, and refugees. He is a strong proponent of incorporating patient feedback, education, advocacy, technology, and quality improvement measures into his practice with the goal of improving clinical care. Dr. Jiménez-Vega is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Research Summary
Quality Improvement and Clinical Outcomes in T1DM
Clinical Summary
T1DM, T2DM, General Endocrine
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454

Bio
Dr. Miller completed his Pediatric residency (2000) and Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship (2003) at the Mayo Clinic. He is a Professor in Pediatric Endocrinology, and has been a member of the division since 2003. Dr. Miller has an interest in the role of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in normal and abnormal growth in children. Additionally, he is interested in the growth and development of children following adversity including cancer and its therapies, fetal alcohol exposure, and international adoption. Dr. Miller is also interested in the endocrine aspects of abnormal glycosylation in children with Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation. Lastly, Dr. Miller is also interested in Achondroplasia and other skeletal dysplasia conditions.
Research Summary
Growth, Puberty and Bone Disorders, Rare Disease
Clinical Summary
General Disorders of Growth and Puberty; Endocrine problems in cancer and bone marrow transplant survivors; Growth and pubertal disorders in children who have experienced early adversity including International Adoption, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Prematurity and Small for Gestational Age; Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation; Adrenoleukodystrophy; Fanconi Anemia; Neurofibromatosis; Prader Willi Syndrome; Russell-Silver Syndrome; Skeletal Dysplasia including Achondroplasia.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Professor Antoinette Moran, MD, is a Professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Minnesota. She has been working with patients with diabetes since 1987, performing research and clinical care. Her research in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes resulted in her being named the first annual recipient of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Richard C. Talamo Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award, for "research contributions that have had significant influence on the course of the disease." She is a leader in the field of clinical trials to prevent and cure type 1 diabetes. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and industry. She is involved in global health and has been working with a pediatric diabetes clinic in Uganda for more than 10 years.
Research Summary
Cystic fibrosis related diabetes; Type 1 diabetes prevention; Pediatric diabetes care in East Africa
Clinical Summary
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus; Pediatric diabetes; Type 1 diabetes; Pediatric diabetes care in East Africa
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Selected Publications
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Brandon Nathan, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, and joined the division in 2006. He is a graduate of Colorado College and Dartmouth Medical School. Dr. Nathan completed his Pediatrics residency training at the University of Wisconsin (2002) and fellowship training in Endocrinology and Metabolism at Case Western Reserve University (2006). Dr. Nathan's research is focused on the care of children with type 1 diabetes. He has a particular interest in identifying high risk populations for prevention trials, and has collaborated with other prominent researchers across the country in this area. His clinical practice incorporates all aspects of Pediatric general endocrinology and diabetes mellitus.
Research Summary
T1DM
Clinical Summary
Disorders of pubertal development; Thyroid disease; Disorders of growth; Hypoglycemia; Type 1 Diabetes; Type 2 Diabetes; Disorders of water metabolism
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Dr. Arpana Rayannavar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes. Dr. Rayannavar joined the Department in September 2019 and is a board certified pediatric endocrinologist. Dr. Rayannavar is a graduate of SUNY Downstate Medical School and completed her pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and endocrine fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition, Dr. Rayannavar completed a clinical research certificate program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Her clinical interests include pituitary function disorders as well as growth and puberty. Her research interests continue to evolve and include looking at therapies to optimize treatment for hypoglycemia/glucose disorders.
Research Summary
Adrenoleukodystrophy, Precocious Puberty
Clinical Summary
Endocrine Oncology, Hypoglycemia, ALD, General Endocrine
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Dr. Kyriakie Sarafoglou is a Professor who holds appointments in the Department of Pediatrics -- Divisions of Endocrinology and Genetics & Metabolism, University of Minnesota Medical School; and the Department of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. She is active in clinical research, patient care, and the education of medical students, pediatric residents, medical scientists, and post-doctoral trainees. Dr. Sarafoglou specializes in rare endocrine and metabolic disorders holding multidisciplinary clinics that care for patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and disorders of sex development, hypophosphatasia, Turner syndrome, and inborn errors of metabolism (e.g. congenital disorders of glycosylation). Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, March of Dimes, and industry. Her critically acclaimed textbook published by McGraw Hill, Pediatric Endocrinology and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, is currently in its 2nd Edition and includes 140 contributors from 18 countries, covering approximately 700 endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Research Summary
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Clinical Summary
Adrenal and intersex disorders; Disorders of pubertal development; Inborn errors of metabolism
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric Genetics & MetabolsimRiverside Professional Building
606 24th Ave. S, Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55454


Bio
Dr. Muna Sunni joined the Department of Pediatrics in September 2013 in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and became Associate Director of the Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program in 2020.
Dr. Sunni graduated with her medical degree from the Al-Fateh University (currently, Tripoli University), Tripoli, Libya in 2004. After completing an internship in Libya, she went on to complete additional internship and residency training in Pediatrics at Memorial Health University Medical Center (Mercer University School of Medicine) in Georgia in 2010. Following residency, she completed a fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at the University of Minnesota in June 2013. She also completed a Masters Degree in Clinical Research through the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sunni currently sees patients in the outpatient Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinics and consults on the inpatient Pediatric wards at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. Her clinical interests involve pediatric diabetes (all types), thyroid disorders, weight management, and growth and puberty concerns. Her research interests include diabetes in the pediatric population with a particular interest in immigrants.
Research Summary
Cultural Barriers to Care in Somali Children with T1DM and other disorders
Clinical Summary
Diabetes in Children, Thyroid Nodules/Cancer, T1DM, T2DM, Obesity, General Endocrine
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric EndocrinologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-201
Minneapolis, MN 55454