John P. Thyfault, PhD, FACSM, FTOS

Professional Background

Dr. John Thyfault has research expertise in metabolism, mitochondrial energetics, obesity, and exercise physiology, using translational approaches in both animal models and human subjects. His research explores the mechanisms by which exercise, physical activity, and aerobic capacity reduce susceptibility for obesity, chronic metabolic disease states such as insulin resistance and fatty liver, and neurometabolic deficits associated with aging. Dr. Thyfault is a Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he holds appointments in the Department of Cellular Biology and Physiology and the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Pharmacology. He is also a Research Scientist at the KC VA Medical Center in Kansas City. At KUMC, Dr. Thyfault leads metabolism-focused research as Co-Director of the Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research (KC-MORE), Director of the KU Diabetes Institute (KUDI), and Co-Director of the Translating Obesity, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Comorbid Disease States (TOMADS) T32 training grant program. He has maintained continuous funding from the AHA, VA, or NIH since 2008.

• BS, Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University, Hays
• MS, Exercise Science, Fort Hays State University, Hays
• PhD, Exercise Physiology, University of Kansas, Lawrence
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Department of Physiology, East Carolina University-Brody School of Medicine, Greenville

• The Obesity Society, Fellow, 2016 - Present
• American College of Sports Medicine, Fellow, 2012 - Present

Research

Overview

Chronic physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and low aerobic fitness are linked to the development of chronic disease conditions including obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, daily physical activity and maintenance of aerobic fitness throughout the lifespan are associated with protection against chronic disease(s). The mechanism(s) underlying the development of these diseases and the role that activity and fitness status play in altering susceptibility remain largely unknown and are the focus of our research. We also have research focused on the links between systemic metabolism and risk for Alzheimers' Disease and neuro-cognitive decline. Additional studies focus on the interaction between statins and skeletal muscle metabolism and aerobic capacity. We utilize integrative (multi-tissue and whole body), translational (cells, rodents, humans) approaches to perform studies in these areas with a focus on clinical or human relevance.

• Translating Obesity, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Comorbid Disease States, NIH
• Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research (KC-MORE), NIH

• Amar D, Gay NR, Jimenez-Morales D, Jean Beltran PM, Ramaker ME, Raja AN, Zhao B, Sun Y, Marwaha S, Gaul DA, Hershman SG, Ferrasse A, Xia A, Lanza I, Fernández FM, Montgomery SB, Hevener AL, Ashley EA, Walsh MJ, Sparks LM, Burant CF, Rector RS, Thyfault J, Wheeler MT, Goodpaster BH, Coen PM, Schenk S, Bodine SC, Lindholm ME. 2024. The mitochondrial multi-omic response to exercise training across rat tissues.. Cell metabolism, 36 (6), 1411-1429.e10
• Mikus CR, Boyle LJ, Borengasser SJ, Oberlin DJ, Naples SP, Fletcher J, Meers GM, Ruebel M, Laughlin MH, Dellsperger KC, Fadel PJ, Thyfault JP. 2013. Simvastatin impairs exercise training adaptations.. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 62 (8), 709-14
• Kumari R, Ponte ME, Franczak E, Prom JC, O'Neil MF, Sardiu ME, Lutkewitte AJ, Shankar K, Morris EM, Thyfault JP. 2023. VCD-induced menopause mouse model reveals reprogramming of hepatic metabolism.. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
• Morris EM, McCoin CS, Allen JA, Gastecki ML, Koch LG, Britton SL, Fletcher JA, Fu X, Ding WX, Burgess SC, Rector RS, Thyfault JP. 2017. Aerobic capacity mediates susceptibility for the transition from steatosis to steatohepatitis.. The Journal of physiology, 595 (14), 4909-4926
• Mikus CR, Oberlin DJ, Libla J, Boyle LJ, Thyfault JP. 2012. Glycaemic control is improved by 7 days of aerobic exercise training in patients with type 2 diabetes.. Diabetologia, 55 (5), 1417-23