Steven C. Hunt, PhD, is a research professor in the Cardiovascular Genetics Division, Department of Internal Medicine. His research is centered around genetic and environmental causes of cardiovascular disease, particularly focusing on hypertension and severe obesity. He directs multiple research grants to find genes that increase the risk of hypertension, salt sensitivity, dyslipidemia, and severe obesity. Relatives in extended, high risk pedigrees are recruited to the research clinic for detailed studies assessing underlying cardiovascular and obesity risk factors and disease outcomes. He is trained in biostatistics, genetic epidemiology, physiology, and computer applications to biomedical research.Research Statement

My focus is on finding genes for common cardiovascular disease, with particular emphasis on hypertension and obesity. I also study the genetics of lipids, diabetes, heart disease, and the risk factors associated with these diseases. We study large case/control, large pedigree, and longitudinal cohort databases of subjects examined over the last 28 years in Utah and at collaborating universities across the country.