ABOUT US

Dr. Mendez’s research interests lie in lipid metabolism and lipoprotein abnormalities that lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and that occur as a consequence of cardiometabolic disorders including diabetes. His studies initially focused on cellular lipid transport with emphasis on reverse cholesterol transport and the intracellular trafficking of cholesterol from sites of accumulation to sites available for removal (efflux) by high density lipoproteins (HDL) and other extracellular acceptors.

His laboratory continues to study the role of HDL in promoting lipid efflux and other HDL functions as potential contributors to and biomarkers of CVD risk and prediction. Other ongoing studies include evaluating metabolic regulation in the context of obesity and adipose tissue inflammation and evaluating anti-inflammatory drugs and compounds in preclinical models of diabetes and obesity. These latter studies are aimed at identifying novel therapies that may improve glycemic control, modulate systemic inflammation and ameliorate the CVD comorbidities associated with diabetes.

Dr. Mendez also has a long-term interest in human biomarkers as predictors of disease in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with emphasis on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. He continues to be involved is several large clinical research projects including the Hispanic Community Health Study, The National Children’s Study, the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS).  In collaboration with his clinical colleagues, and following a broader team science approach, he has participated in multiple studies aimed at identifying associations of CVD and lipid-lipoprotein and other biomarker risk factors with a variety of disease states including diabetes and obesity, renal dysfunction, psycho-social stress and human immunodeficiency virus infection, and spinal cord injury.

He has authored numerous scientific papers in both Lipid Metabolism and Diabetes, and has been a reviewer for journals in these areas for many years.