Management Team
Dr. Kamal D. Mehta, PhD
Chief Executive Officer & Chief Scientific Officer
Postdoc:
- Nobel laureate Dr. Mike Smith, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
-Nobel laureates Drs. Mike Brown and Joe Goldstein, University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Ph.D:
-Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics, McMaster University Medical Center, Hamilton, Ontario
Honors & Awards:
-Medical Research Council of Canada postdoctoral fellowship
-NIH postdoctoral training
-Ed-Harms family Medical Research Endowment
-Irvine H. Page Young Investigator award of American Heart Association
-Established Investigator award of American Heart Association
-Elected fellow of the American Heart Association
-Awarded three patents and fourth patent involving PKCb is pending
-Served in NIH and AHA study sections
-Funded by National Institutes of Health and American Heart Association grants throughout faculty career
RESEARCH:
PKCbeta inhibitors as next generation metabolic therapies for obesity and dyslipidemia
Dr. Mehta conducts pioneering research into the molecular mechanisms of lipid metabolism and their impact on metabolic diseases. His work centers on signaling kinases like protein kinase C-beta (PKCbeta), which acts as a nutrient sensor responding to dietary fats and cholesterol. Through biochemical and genetic studies, Dr. MEhta’s team has demonstrated that inhibiting PKCbeta-either through genetic deficiency or novel compounds like INST3399-effectively shifts the body’s metabolic state from fat storage to fat burning. By upregulating thermogenic genes such as UCP1, this inhibition promotes the “browning” of white adipose tissue and enhances energy expenditure, providing significant protection against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, his exploration of the Raf-1/MEK/ERK kinase cascade clarifies how the liver adapts to “Western-style” diets, offering a promising therapeutic framework for treating atherosclerosis and other cholesterol disorders.
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semiglutide primarily address obesity by reducing appetite and lowering caloric intake. In contrast, PKCbeta inhibitors deliver a complementary metabolic benefit by directly increasing energy expenditure. His research demonstrates that PKCbeta inhibition redirect dietary lipids toward heat production rather than fat storage. By counteracting the metabolic adaptations that typically accompany weight loss, PKCbeta inhibitors have the potential to serve as effective stand-alone therapies for obesity and associated disorders. They also provide a powerful complement to GLP-1-based treatments by sustaining a high metabolic rate even as caloric intake decreases. Together, this dual-mechanism strategy targets both sides of the energy-balance equation, offering a more comprehensive approach to treating chronic obesity, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver disease.
Scientific Advisors
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Dr. Russell Elmes, MD
Advisory Physician
Dr. Elm is a specialist in Emergency Medicine and is board-certified by ABEM. His primary area of expertise is Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. He completed his training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.
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Dr. Sohi Ashraf, MD
Advisory Physician
Dr. Ashraf is the Medical Director of Critical Care and received his training at Yale and NYU hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Critical Care.
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Dr. Madhu Mehta, M.D.
Dr. Mehta is a Rheumatologist and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. She completed her training at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and later served as a faculty member at the institution for eleven years.