Justin R. Ryder PhD

Justin Ryder, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and Associate Director of Research for the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine. Dr. Ryder is a clinical translational pediatric obesity researcher focused on understanding the intersection between obesity and chronic disease risk. His research program studies the short- and long-term impact pediatric obesity has on numerous organ systems with a primary goal of integrating state-of-the-art techniques in these populations in order to expedite our understanding of the health consequences of obesity. To this end, he leads a diverse research program with studies that range from observational to longitudinal cohort studies to novel treatments all aimed to improve the lives of children today and in the future who struggle with obesity. The interventional treatment studies are designed to target specific chronic diseases, particularly fatty liver and cardiovascular disease, using novel, biology-based treatments (e.g. pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery). The ultimate goal is to provide children with better treatments for the disease of obesity and often co-morbid disease conditions which impact their daily lives and long term health.