Kanakadurga Singer, MA, MD
Valerie Castle Opipari M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Assistant Dean for Tenure Track Faculty
[email protected]

Available to mentor

Kanakadurga Singer, MA, MD
Associate Professor
  • About
  • Links
  • Qualifications
  • Center Memberships
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
  • About

    Dr. Singer completed her undergraduate degree in Biophysics and Philosophy along with a Master’s degree in Biophysics from Johns Hopkins University in 2002. She then came to University of Michigan for her medical school, Pediatrics Residency and Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship training.

    In 2012 she joined as a faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases and Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. In 2015 she became affiliated with the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program as well as the Graduate Program in Immunology. From 2019-2022 she served as the Associate Director for the Graduate Program in Immunology and a Physician Advisor in Faculty Development. In 2022 she became the Assistant Dean for Tenure Track Faculty at the Medical School.

    As a Pediatric Endocrinologist, seeing patients in a clinical setting struggling with obesity and diabetes she has chosen to focus on gaining knowledge on these diseases. Her area of focus has been to understand the long-term and life long impacts of obesity on the immune system and sex differences in metabolic and inflammatory responses to high fat diet.

    Links
    • https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/singerlab/home
    Qualifications
    • Pediatrics Endocrinology Fellowship
      University of Michican Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, 2012
    • Pediatrics Residency
      University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, 2009
    • MD
      University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2006
    • MA in Biophysics
      Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 2002
    • BA in Biophysics and Philosophy
      Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 2002
    Center Memberships
    • Center Member
      Taubman Institute
    • Center Member
      Caswell Diabetes Institute
    • Center Member
      Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center
    Research Overview

    1. Understanding mechanisms driving obesity induced inflammation.
    2. Sex differences in meta-inflammation.
    3. The impact of obesity-induced inflammation on life-long immune system function.
    4. Translational impact of meta-inflammation in adolescent obesity.

    Recent Publications See All Publications
    • Journal Article
      Measuring Up: Do Pediatric Endocrinology Fellows' Career Expectations Align with Workforce Reality?
      Nahata L, Srinivasan S, Roche CI, Leavens KF, Kim MS, Levenson A, Topor LS, Singer K, McCormack S. J Pediatr, 2024 Dec; 275: 114321 DOI:10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114321
      PMID: 39304117
    • Journal Article
      The Disproportionate Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Time Allocation of Recipients of NIH Career Development Awards Who Are Women or Caregivers of Dependents.
      Jacobson CE, Griffith KA, Krenz C, Jones RD, Cutter CM, Singer K, Paradis KC, Stewart AJ, Feldman EL, Settles IH, Kerr EA, Ubel PA, Spector ND, Jagsi R. Acad Med, 2024 Dec 1; 99 (12): 1396 - 1404. DOI:10.1097/ACM.0000000000005681
      PMID: 38452218
    • Presentation
      The influence of sex and sex hormones on obesity induced myeloid inflammation
      Singer K. 2024 Sep 26;
    • Journal Article
      Obesity Inhibits Alveolar Macrophage Responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia via Upregulation of Prostaglandin E2 in Male, but Not Female, Mice.
      Entrup GP, Unadkat A, Warheit-Niemi HI, Thomas B, Gurczynski SJ, Cui Y, Smith AM, Gallagher KA, Moore BB, Singer K. J Immunol, 2024 Aug 1; 213 (3): 317 - 327. DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.2400140
      PMID: 38905107
    • Journal Article
      STIM1-dependent store-operated calcium entry mediates sex differences in macrophage chemotaxis and monocyte recruitment.
      Fresquez AM, Hogan JO, Rivera P, Patterson KM, Singer K, Reynolds JM, White C. J Biol Chem, 2024 Jul; 300 (7): 107422 DOI:10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107422
      PMID: 38815866
    • Journal Article
      Leadership Experiences and Perceptions of Mid-Career to Senior Clinician-Scientists: A Qualitative Exploration.
      Greene AK, Szczygiel LA, Thomas JD, Jones RD, Cutter CM, Feldman EL, Kerr EA, Paradis KC, Settles IH, Singer K, Spector ND, Stewart AJ, Telem D, Ubel PA, Jagsi R. Acad Med, 2024 Jun 4; DOI:10.1097/ACM.0000000000005777
      PMID: 38838195
    • Presentation
      The influence of sex and sex hormones on obesity induced myeloid inflammation
      Singer K. 2024 May 30;
    • Presentation
      Mind the gap, close the gap: advancing a workforce that drives equity through pediatric research”. Inaugural Arlan Rosenbloom Lecture. Pediatric Grand Rounds.
      Singer K. 2024 Apr 18;