This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 29 for UNMC’s 2026 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator recipients.
Saraswathi Viswanathan, PhD, will receive a Distinguished Scientist Award. Distinguished Scientist Awards, which are sponsored by the chancellor, recognize researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Saraswathi Viswanathan, PhD
- Title: Professor, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine-Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, UNMC College of Medicine
- Joined UNMC: 2011
- Hometown: Chennai, India
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
- Obesity
- Alcohol-related diseases
Why is research important in the world today?
Research is important in every field, because it drives innovation, expands knowledge and helps society grow and evolve. In the biomedical sciences, research advances our understanding of disease mechanisms and enables the development of preventive strategies, diagnostic tools and effective therapies. By generating new ideas and evidence-based solutions, research provides the foundation for advances in healthcare that improve human health, extend life, and enhance quality of life.
My research will make a difference because:
Obesity and excessive alcohol consumption are major contributors to many chronic diseases. Our research addresses critical gaps in understanding how dysregulated metabolic pathways drive liver injury and cardiomyopathy in obesity and alcohol use disorders. By investigating arachidonic acid signaling, oxidative stress and cellular crosstalk among hepatocytes, adipocytes and other key cell populations, we aim to identify novel therapeutic targets. Given the rising prevalence of these diseases and limited treatment options, this work has strong clinical significance and may lead to innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of liver and heart diseases.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Success is not permanent and failure is not fatal; what matters most is having the courage to keep moving forward.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I enjoy cooking as a creative outlet and a way to connect with family and friends.
- I love gardening.
- Growing up, I enjoyed reading historical novels, though I rarely find time for them these days.