Michael Boehnke

Michael Lee Boehnke is an American geneticist. He is the Richard G. Cornell Distinguished University Professors of Biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where he also directs the Center for Statistical Genetics. His research focuses on the genetic dissection of complex traits; in a career spanning 25 years, he has developed methods for analysis of human pedigrees, examined the history of breast cancer in genetically at risk individuals, and contributed important discoveries on the genetics of type 2 diabetes and related traits, such as obesity and blood lipid levels.

Michael Boehnke
Spouse(s)Betsy Foxman
Academic background
EducationBA, Mathematics, 1977, University of Oregon
PhD, biomathematics, 1983, University of California, Los Angeles
ThesisAdvances in pedigree analysis: ascertainment, goodness of fit, and optimization (1983)
Academic work
InstitutionsUniversity of Michigan

Early life

Boehnke completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of Oregon before applying for a Fullbright Scholarship in Freiburg, Germany. Upon returning to North America, he volunteered in the lab of ecologists Bill Bradshaw and Chris Holzapfel who convinced him to apply for graduate school instead of law school. On their advice, he received his doctoral degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in biomathematics.[1]

Career

Upon concluding his education, Boehnke joined the faculty at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 1984.[2] By 1993, he was promoted from associate professor with tenure to professor with tenure.[3]

In 2007, Boehnke collaborated with researchers at deCODE genetics and Mark McCarthy of the University of Oxford to identify seven new genes connected to Type 2 diabetes. The groups identified at least four new genetic factors associated with increased risk of diabetes and confirmed the existence of six more.[4][5] In recognition of the discovery, Science magazine named their discovery as the 2007 breakthrough of the year and Time magazine listed their work among the top 20 medical discoveries of 2007.[6] He was subsequently appointed the Richard G. Cornell Distinguished University Professor of Biostatistics[6] and elected a member of the Institute of Medicine.[7]

After being elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science,[8] Boehnke co-led an international research team which located 12 more regions on the genome with DNA variants that are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes.[9] The following year, he discovered that several of the newly discovered genetic variants may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or both.[10] By 2013, Boehnke was a member of another international research team which uncovered 157 changes in human DNA that alter the levels of cholesterol and other blood fats.[11]

Personal life

Boehnke and his wife Betsy Foxman have three sons together.[12]

References
  1. "Michael Boehnke, BA '77". honors.uoregon.edu. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  2. "MICHAEL BOEHNKE". members.precisionhealth.umich.edu. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  3. "130 faculty granted promotion and/or tenure by Regents". ur.umich.edu. The University Record. May 10, 1993. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  4. Wade, Nicholas (April 27, 2007). "Scientists Identify 7 New Diabetes Genes". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  5. Bailey, Laura (May 16, 2007). "U-led study identifies new genetic risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes". ur.umich.edu. The University Record. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  6. "Top U-M faculty garner annual awards". ur.umich.edu. The University Record. October 12, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  7. "Four faculty elected to Institute of Medicine". ur.umich.edu. The University Record. October 16, 2006. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  8. "Eleven U-M scientists named AAAS Fellows". news.umich.edu. January 20, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  9. "New variants found that indicate a predisposition to type 2 diabetes". news.umich.edu. June 30, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  10. Bailey, Laura (September 18, 2011). "U-M among international group to find genetic variants that may contribute to mental illness". news.umich.edu. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  11. Thomas, Laura (October 6, 2013). "Massive DNA study points to new heart drug targets and a key role for triglycerides". news.umich.edu. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  12. "Turning a Passion for Math into a Career in Public Health". sph.umich.edu. June 7, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
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