Dr. Babette Zemel

Biography

Babette S. Zemel is a Research Professor in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Pediatrics with a focus on Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Her research expertise lies in the intersection of biological anthropology and pediatric health, specifically examining how childhood factors influence lifelong health outcomes related to physical growth, maturation, body composition, and the role of genetics and lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity. Dr. Zemel's work addresses public health implications for disease prevention and wellness from a young age, particularly concerning children facing chronic diseases that affect growth and development. Her investigations include a thorough understanding of bone mineral accretion from early childhood into adulthood and the critical factors that influence growth, muscle development, and overall health during these life stages. She conducts extensive research on body composition and its health outcomes for children with chronic diseases, including sickle cell disease, kidney disease, cardiac malformations, cancer survivors, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Research Interests

Experience