The Division of Endocrinology (Internal Medicine) is led by Dr. Ronald Swerdloff, a leading figure (both nationally and internationally) in the field of male reproductive biology. The Division of Endocrinology (Pediatrics) is led by Dr. W-N Paul Lee, a leader in the field of growth and development and the effects of exercise on growth. The Divisions are staffed by 8 full-time clinical faculty, six non clinical faculty and a number of volunteer clinical faculty that help with their expertise in the ambulatory setting.  Last year the Divisions provided outpatient clinical services to 1792 patients.  This consisted of 4153 visits to the various adult clinics and 672 visits to the corresponding pediatric clinics.  The inpatient consultative service provided  263 adult and 99 pediatric new consults for admitted patients with endocrinopathies.  The volume of patients seen, the broad spectrum of pathology and the quality of the teaching staff provide a unique opportunity for first hand exposure to both common endocrine disorders, as well as rare entities not commonly seen in other settings.

The Setting: The Division of Endocrinology at Harbor-UCLA is part of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LABioMed).  LABiomed, is the South Bay's premier biomedical research and education institute and is a non-profit medical research institute affiliated with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the UCLA School of Medicine.  It manages more than 500 medical research and education grants and contracts.  Harbor-UCLA LABioMed is recognized internationally as one of the leading independent medical research and education organizations not only in Southern California, but in the nation.

Research: The Division of Endocrinology at Harbor-UCLA provide a very active and energetic research clinical and basic research environment with three major focus groups. The Reproductive Biology Group areas of interest include reproductive endocrinology, including hormonal control of testicular cell cycle events, control of germ cell apoptosis, genetic control of meiosis initiation, ethnic differences in  androgen metabolism, male contraceptive development, new methods of androgen delivery, androgen receptor physiology, CNS dysfunction in Klinefelter's Syndrome, and reproductive dysfunction with aging; The Intermediary Metabolism/Diabetes Group focuses on stable isotopic assessments of glucose, amino acid, fatty acid and androgen metabolism; regulation of insulin release in vitro; childhood obesity and development of new techniques for diagnosis of hypoglycemic states. A third group focuses on the mechanisms of Graves' ophthalmopathy.  A detailed description of each investigator's interests is provided at our Faculty's site.