I am Juwairriyyah Siddiqui, MD, a second-year Pediatric Endocrinology Fellow at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai. Growing up in a family of physicians fueled my passion for community service, inspiring me to pursue a career in medicine. My journey began at Deccan College of Medical Sciences in India where I attended medical school. My passion for pediatrics led me to complete my pediatric residency at Columbia University, Harlem Hospital in New York.
My fascination for Endocrinology began in medical school, where I cared for numerous patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Actively participating in diabetes camps, my goal was to raise awareness about strict glycemic control. This interest led me to an elective in Pediatric Endocrinology, deepening my understanding of hormonal pathways and diverse pathologies. During residency, I focused on an underserved population grappling with obesity and type 2 diabetes, which led to my participation in a multi-center research project on the surge in youth onset type 2 diabetes during the COVID pandemic. These experiences solidified my interest to continue my journey in Pediatric Endocrinology.
As a fellow, along with my clinical duties, I have the wonderful opportunity to engage in basic science research. I was intrigued by the research done at Rajbhandari lab, which is part of the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute at Mount Sinai. My research involves studying the transcription factor GTF2i and its role in adipogenesis under the mentorship of Dr. Prashant Rajbhandari. Through this research, I am gaining in-depth knowledge about adipose tissue biology and the various factors affecting its formation. This experience is also deepening my understanding of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ.
I am lucky to have excellent mentors in every stage of training, from medical school to fellowship. I am immensely grateful to Dr. Prashant Rajbhandari, my research mentor for helping me navigate the realms of adipose tissue and genomics. I appreciate the guidance of my clinical mentors Dr. Elizabeth Wallach and Dr. Robert Rapaport, who provide invaluable clinical knowledge and guidance. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities and the unwavering support provided by my division chief and program director, Dr. Joan Han.