Welcome

Team members Xingyue Gong, Dorian Kariuki, Elena Flowers, and Kimberly Lewis at the UCSF PROPEL Program year-end symposium
Dorian and Elena enjoying the views of Chicago from the top of the Hancock Tower
Dr. Flowers inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing In Washington DC in October, 2022
Dorian Kariuki presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2022 in Chicago, IL
Elementary school kids making DNA for National DNA Day.
https://www.genome.gov/dna-day
Elena with visiting scholars Maria Luisa Lazo de la Vega Monroy, PhD (right) and Daniel (left) at the Universidad de Guanajato in Mexico
2023 lab retreat in Monterey Bay
From left to right, team members are Kesava Asam, Ben Stroebel, Kimberly Lewis, Kayla Longoria, Elena Flowers, and Brad Aouizerat
Kayla Longoria, PhD presenting her research findings to the International Society of Nurses in Genetics conference in Providence, RI in November, 2023.
Kimberly Lewis, PhD, RN presenting her research findings to the International Society of Nurses in Genetics conference in Providence, RI in November, 2023.

Welcome to the Elena Flowers Lab

Our research is focused on the complex interplay of genetic predisposition and behavioral/lifestyle factors associated with risk for type 2 diabetes. We are particularly interested in racial minority groups who are disproportionately affected by these conditions. Ongoing studies are focused on South Asians, Filipinos, Latinos, and African Americans. There are two primary goals of our research. The first is to identify novel biomarkers to improve prediction of risk and responses to behavioral risk reduction interventions, including physical activity, diet, and yoga. The second is to explore mechanisms underlying complex metabolic conditions in order to better understand the pathophysiology for individuals and groups.

 

 

Recent Publications

Multi-Tiered Assessment of Gene Expression Provides Evidence for Mechanisms That Underlie Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

MicroRNA Biomarkers Target Genes and Pathways Associated with Type 2 Diabetes

Prediction of Weight Loss to Decrease the Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Using Multidimensional Data in Filipino Americans: Secondary Analysis

Review of databases for experimentally validated human microRNA-mRNA interactions

Healthcare Mistreatment, State-Level Policy Protections, and Healthcare Avoidance Among Gender Minority People

Serine, N-acetylaspartate differentiate adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis compared with healthy controls: a metabolomics cross-sectional study

Systematic review of transcriptome and microRNAome associations with gestational diabetes mellitus

Prediction Performance of Feature Selectors and Classifiers on Highly Dimensional Transcriptomic Data for Prediction of Weight Loss in Filipino Americans at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

MicroRNAs Associated With Incident Diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Program

The Role of Racial and Ethnic Factors in MicroRNA Expression and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Co‑expressed microRNAs, target genes and pathways related to metabolism, inflammation and endocrine function in individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes