Janet L. Funk, MD

Professor, Medicine
Professor, BIO5 Institute
Professor, Nutritional Sciences
Clinical Instructor, Pharmacy Practice-Science
Professor, Physiological Sciences
Professor, Cancer Biology
 
Education: 
  • Stanford University, 1973-1978 (B.S. Chemistry)
  • Cornell University, 1979-1981 (M.S. Biophysical Chemistry)
  • University of California, San Francisco, 1981-1985 (M.D.)
  • George Washington University, 1985-1988 (Internal Medicine Internship and Residency) 
  • University of California, San Francisco,1989-1992 (Endocrinology Fellowship)
Honors and Awards: 
  • NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1991 (declined)
  • Veterans Administration Career Development Award, 1991-94
  • UCSF Academic Senate Individual Investigator Award, 1993-94
  • NIH First Award for new young investigators, 1994-present
Major Areas of Research Interest: 
Research in the Funk laboratory is focused on investigating basic mechanisms underlying common metabolic bone diseases, including arthritis, osteoporosis and bone metastasis, including the testing of novel treatments. A particular focus of the laboratory has been the assessment of bone protective and anti-inflammatory medicinal botanicals, such as turmeric, which are used traditionally to treat bone conditions, such as arthritis. Reasearch spans basic and clinical arenas in National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded studies that move from bench to the clinic to test the modern day utility of ancient remedies. 
 
Student Opportunities Through Research: 
Students choosing to work in my laboratory will benefit from having the opportunity to work in a very translational research group that combines and extends basic  "wet lab” experimental approaches with clinical studies. I like to work with each student to identify and outline a specific research project, falling within the scope of my own research program, that would be of particular interest to the student and that would allow them to acquire basic science and/or clinical research skills (both practical and conceptual) directed toward the goal of completing a piece of scholarly work suitable for presentation and/or inclusion in a publication.
 
Selected Publications: 
Funk JL. Oyarzo JN. Frye JB. Chen G. Lantz RC. Jolad SD. Solyom AM. Timmermann BN. Turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids prevent experimental rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Natural Products. 69(3):351-5, 2006.
 
Funk JL. Chen J. Downey KJ. Davee SM. Stafford G. Blockade of parathyroid hormone-related protein prevents joint destruction and granuloma formation in streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 48(6):1721-31, 2003.
 
Funk JL. Migliati E. Chen G. Wei H. Wilson J. Downey KJ. Mullarky PJ. Coull BM. McDonagh PF. Ritter LS. Parathyroid hormone-related protein induction in focal stroke: a neuroprotective vascular peptide. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative & Comparative Physiology. 284(4):R1021-30, 2003.
 
Funk JL. Wei H. Downey KJ. Yocum D. Benjamin JB. Carley W. Expression of PTHrP and its cognate receptor in the rheumatoid synovial microcirculation. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications. 297(4):890-7, 2002.
 
Sponsored Research Through MSRP: 
Laurie Cordaro, (MSRP 1996): "The role of parathyroid hormone related protein in rheumatoid arthritis."
 
Colin Trout, (MSRP 1996): "The role and regulation of parathyroid hormone related-protein (PTH-rP) in the brain during inflammation."
 
Katherine Downey, (MSRP 2002): "Localization og PTHrP and Neutrophils in the 2-VO Model."
 
Matthew Schmidgall, (MSRP 2013): "Characterization of Estrogen Receptor Positive MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells with High Bone Metastatic Potential."
 
Karen Haiber, (MSRP 2014): "Botanical Dietary Supplement Use Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients in Tucson, AZ."
 
Chelsea Alfafara, (MSRP 2016): "Phase Ib Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Mariva in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Curcuma longa L in Rheumatoid Arthritis [CLaRA] Phase I)"
 
Timothy Panknin, (MSRP 2019): "The Effects of Metabolism on Curcumin's Bone Protective Properties and Breast Cancer Bone Metastases TGF(beta) Dependent PTHrP Expression"
 
Megan Hauer (MSRP 2020): "Over the Counter Supplement Use in Breast Cancer"
 
Advanced Research Distinction Track (RDT): 
Chelsea Alfafara, (RDT Class of 2019): "Phase Ib Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Meriva in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Curcuma longa L in Rheumatoid Arthritis [CLaRA] Phase I)"

Timothy Panknin, (RDT Class of 2022): "The Effects of Metabolism on Curcumin's Bone Protective Properties and Breast Cancer Bone Metastases TGF(beta) Dependent PTHrP Expression" 
 
Megan Hauer (RDT Class of 2023): " Dietary Supplement Use in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer"
 
NIH Undergraduate Diversity Program: 
Guadalupe Barrera, (2013) "Gorham-Stout Disease & Bone Lesions"
 
Mia McCallum, (2016) "Phase Ib Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Mariva in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Curcuma longa L in Rheumatoid Arthritis [CLaRA] Phase I)"
 
NIH High School Student Research Program: 
Kyle Gayle, Rio Rico High School, 2004
Bradley Hann,  Buena Vista High School (Sierra Vista, AZ), 2004
Brian Singer, Boulder Creek High School (Phoenix, AZ), 2009
Briana Morez, Ganado High School, 2010
Mia McCallum, Desert View High School, 2013
 
Monday, March 5, 2018