Dr. Richard Watanabe

Biography

Richard M. Watanabe is a Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He serves as the Associate Dean for Health Population Science Programs. His primary research interests focus on the genetics and pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a particular emphasis on understanding the gene-phenotype relationships affected by environmental exposures. Watanabe's prolific work includes studies on polygenic prediction of body mass index across various ancestries and the role of genetic variations in metabolic balance and diabetes-related traits. He has published extensively in high-impact journals, providing insights into the complexities of diabetes and its physiological impacts, especially within Latino populations. His commitment to advancing knowledge in complex disease genetics is underscored by his participation in large-scale studies aimed at identifying susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes.

Research Interests