Why do people respond differently to the same diet or lifestyle behavior, and what is the genetic and molecular basis for that variability?

The Westerman Lab sits at the intersection of genetic epidemiology and precision cardiometabolic disease prevention. We develop and apply methods for gene-environment interaction (GxE) analysis in large-scale population datasets, and use them to understand how individuals respond differently to lifestyle factors and other modifiable exposures. Current projects have a particular focus on both omega-3 fatty acids and adiposity as exposures.

Our group is based in the Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, with an additional presence at the Broad Institute (Broad Diabetes Initiative and Diabetes Genetics Research Group).

We are fortunate to be supported by the National Institutes of Health / NIDDK (awards R01DK147322, R03DK145936, K01DK133637) and the American Heart Association (award 26IPA1629206).

Westerman Lab · Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit · Massachusetts General Hospital · 100 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114 · kewesterman@mgb.org