Eleonora Scorletti, MD, PhD

Eleonora Scorletti is an Instructor in the Department of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania and a recent recipient of the prestigious NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the NIDDK. A physician-scientist with specialist training in Preventive Medicine, Dr. Scorletti has dedicated her career to advancing the understanding of metabolic and liver diseases.After earning her M.D. and completing residency at the University of Pavia in Italy, she pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Southampton's Biomedical Research Centre (UK) under Professors Christopher Byrne and Philip Calder. There, she contributed to groundbreaking clinical trials exploring omega-3 fatty acids and synbiotics in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Building on her doctoral work, Dr. Scorletti joined the University of Pennsylvania (2018), initially as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Rotonya Carr's laboratory, where she investigated lipid droplet biology and genetic polymorphisms in NAFLD. Currently, in Dr. Daniel Rader's lab, she leads innovative studies on genetic factors like PNPLA3-I148M and nutritional interventions in liver disease. Her contributions have garnered multiple awards, including the AASLD Afdhal/McHutchison Lifer Award and the Penn Junior Investigator Pilot Grant.Beyond research, Dr. Scorletti is a dedicated mentor and educator, training students and contributing to her community through global health initiatives in Italy and West Africa. Her work exemplifies a commitment to translating scientific discovery into improved care for patients with metabolic diseases.