Prof. Dr. med. univ. Julia Szendrödi

Julia studied human medicine at the Medical University of Vienna (Austria), where she received her MD in 2002 and completed her PhD in 2007. Her doctoral work focused on molecular mechanisms of ion channel regulation, investigating the recovery from ultra-slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Following her medical training, she pursued clinical and research activities in internal medicine and metabolism, combining patient care with translational research in metabolic diseases.

After moving to Germany, Julia continued her clinical training and specialization in internal medicine as well as endocrinology and diabetology at the University Hospital Düsseldorf. During this time, she established her scientific focus on the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders, particularly insulin resistance and its role in the development of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic complications. Her work combines clinical studies with mechanistic research aimed at understanding metabolic alterations in tissues such as skeletal muscle and liver.

At the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) in Düsseldorf, Julia led clinical research initiatives and headed the Clinical Studies Center, contributing to the investigation of metabolic dysfunction and obesity-associated diseases. Her research has addressed the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, and ectopic lipid accumulation.

Since 2021, Julia Szendrödi has been Professor (W3) and Medical Director of the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Chemistry at Heidelberg University Hospital, where she also serves as Director of the Central Laboratory. Her current research focuses on translational approaches to better understand metabolic diseases and their complications, aiming to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strategies for patients with diabetes and related metabolic disorders.