The addition of three new faculty members deepens the Division of Endocrinology’s expertise in Type 2 diabetes, growth disorders, and rare forms of diabetes and hyperinsulinism. Ryan Brady, MD, MS, Mansa Krishnamurthy, MD, MSc, and Gajan Muthuvel, MD, see patients in general and specialty endocrinology clinics and conduct research in their areas of interest. All three completed fellowships at Cincinnati Children’s. 

Krishnamurthy to Study Genetic Forms of Diabetes and Hyperinsulinism

Krishnamurthy, a physician-scientist, spends most of her time researching genetic forms of diabetes and hyperinsulinism, utilizing technologies such as patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, CRISPR/Cas9 genetic correction and organoid modeling. 

“Many children with genetic forms of diabetes are misdiagnosed with autoimmune Type 1 diabetes, but a detailed family history and genetic testing can sometimes identify an underlying genetic cause,” Krishnamurthy says. “Although we know about 20 mutations that cause genetic forms of diabetes, there remain up to 20% of cases without a genetic diagnosis. Similarly, in the case of congenital hyperinsulinism, up to 50% of children remain without a genetic diagnosis, clearly indicating there is a need for more gene discovery. Knowing which mutation is causing a child’s illness changes the clinical paradigm, so it is very important to learn as much as possible about these unknown genes.” 

Krishnamurthy uses basic and translational approaches in the lab to better understand how these genetic mutations affect insulin production and secretion. She follows patients with both genetic forms of diabetes and hyperinsulinism at Cincinnati Children's and also collaborates with other pediatric institutions to share research findings and ideas on how best to manage these patients clinically.  

Krishnamurthy’s work with organoids, CRISPR/Cas9 and pluripotent stem cells is made possible partly by resources from the hospital’s Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM).  

“CuSTOM researchers are developing increasingly sophisticated organoid models of the stomach, small intestine, colon and other organs,” she explains. “Collaborating with them to create miniature, functional pancreas models will allow us to better understand how novel genes cause diabetes and hyperinsulinism and can also be used in the future to test pharmaceutical compounds to see whether they improve beta cell function or proliferation. The ultimate goal is to improve the way we diagnose and clinically manage children with genetic forms of diabetes and hyperinsulinism.” 

Brady Joins Growing Type 2 Diabetes Team

Brady has a particular interest in diabetes as well, focusing on preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes in children, adolescents and young adults. He earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine and did his pediatric residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill. Brady completed a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Cincinnati Children’s while earning a master’s degree in clinical and translational research at the University of Cincinnati. As a faculty member, he will continue the research he completed during his one-year research fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s, which focused on diabetes-associated complications in youth-onset Type 2 diabetes. 

Brady sees patients in the division’s general endocrinology and diabetes clinics.  

“I am excited to join a passionate and accomplished group of providers in the Type 2 diabetes clinic,” he says. “Our goal is to improve all outcomes for youth with Type 2 through compassionate clinical care and innovative research.” 

Muthuvel to Help Expand Growth Disorders Program

Muthuvel’s primary area of interest is growth disorders. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and completed his residency in pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Muthuvel completed a clinical fellowship in endocrinology at Cincinnati Children’s, serving as chief fellow during his final year while simultaneously completing a National Institutes of Health T32 fellowship.  

“I hope to help expand the clinical scope and research endeavors of the Cincinnati Center for Growth Disorders, seeing patients with growth hormone resistance, Silver-Russell Syndrome, Aggrecan deficiency, and other genetic short stature conditions while studying new and emerging growth-promoting agents and indications,” he says. “I additionally have interest in diabetes technology, including increasing patient access and optimizing utilization of information garnered from rapidly advancing diabetes devices.” 

Three new pediatric endocrinologists bring expertise in Type 2 diabetes, growth disorders and rare forms of diabetes and hyperinsulinism.