Dr Jan Idkowiak MD, PhD, MRCPCH

Clinical Academic Lecturer in Paediatric Endocrinology:

 

PhD in Molecular Medicine 2015, University of Birmingham

MRCPCH 2014

MD in Medicine/ Developmental Biology 2007, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

Medical State Exam (equivalent to MBChB) 2005, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

Jan qualified in Medicine from the University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, in 2005. He obtained an MD with distinction (‘summa cum laude’) on molecular studies discovering novel mechanisms of axial patterning and head formation in mammals in 2007 from the University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. From 2005-2009, Jan was trained in Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Children’s Hospital at the University of Dresden, Germany. In 2009 he obtained a Research Training Fellowship from the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) to study adrenarche at the Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Birmingham under supervision for Prof Wiebke Arlt. In 2011, Jan was successful in obtaining an MRC-funded Research Training Fellowship to do his PhD in the same group in Birmingham. His PhD entitled ‘Molecular Regulation of Adrenal Androgen Biosynthesis’ was awarded in 2015. After completing his training in General Paediatrics, Jan joined the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research in 2017 as a NIHR-funded Clinical Lecturer to expand his studies on androgen metabolism in children.

MBChB – Endocrinology

Postgraduate Teaching in Paediatrics – Paediatric Endocrinology

OSCEs – Senior Examiner

Jan is interested in supervising medical students studying for intercalated degrees, as well as doctoral research students in the following areas:

• Adrenal disorders in Paediatrics
• Metabolic Dysfunction and Childhood Androgen Excess Conditions
• Other aspects of Clinical Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

If you are interested in studying any of these subject areas please contact Jan on the contact details above.

During his PhD, Jan has examined various monogenic disorders associated with androgen excess and deficiency. Through a combination of in vivo and in vitro molecular studies, Jan has characterised enzymes and co-factors of the androgenic pathway, in particular the electron donor P450 oxidoreductase (POR), cytochrome B5 (CYB5A) and the central androgen producing enzyme P450 cytochrome (CYP) 17A1. In addition, Jan has explored the clinical and molecular role of sulfation and desulfation of the principal androgen precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by examining enzymes and co-factor PAPSS synthases and Steroid Sulfatase. As key methodologies, Jan employs mass-spectrometry steroid profiling as a central diagnostic tool to unravel disease signatures of androgen deficiency and excess conditions.

Currently, Jan is conducting clinical studies to look into the metabolic risk profile of children with common androgen excess conditions, such as premature adrenarche and adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

Since 2016 - Executive Board Member of the Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners

Since 2016 - Trainee Representative for Birmingham, Intercalating Academic Training Group (ICAT), Universities Birmingham, Warwick and Keele

Since 2016 – Member of the Scientific Committee of the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Research Foundation