We primarily utilize molecular and advanced imaging techniques in cells and mouse models to imterrogate pathophysiologic mechanisms of diabetes and diabetic kidney disease.
Teaching Information
Teaching Interests
Dr. Schelling is actively involved in basic science teaching within the Department of Physiology & Biophysics and clinical teaching within the Department of Medicine. He is a block leader in PHOL 482/484, curriculum creator and director for CWRU PHOL 621A/B/C, lecturer in PHOL 401B, PHOL 481,PHOL 482, PHOL 483, PHOL 484, PHOL 496, and CWRU School of Medicine Science and Art of Medicine Integrated (SAMI) design team member. He serves as a trainer for the NIH U2C/Tl1 grant, faculty advisor to Master of Science in Medical Physiology (MSMP) students, and thesis advisor to doctoral candidates in the Basic Science Training Program (BSTP).
Research Information
Research Interests
The Schelling laboratory utilizes molecular and cellular methods, animal models and human samples to investigate the pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The lab made the initial discovery that proximal tubule cell apoptosis leads to tubular atrophy, which strongly predicts DKD progression. Current research focuses on fatty acid transport protein-2 (FATP2) regulation of proximal tubule lipotoxicity, which involves downstream endoplasmic reticulum lipid bilayer stress and excess mitochondrial fission. Additional projects include investigation of FATP2 inhibition-induced glucose reduction through stimulation of pancreatic α-cell-mediated GLP-1 secretion, as well as the development of FATP2 inhibitors as potential treatments for diabetes and DKD.
Professional Memberships
External Appointments
Publications
- Khan S, Cabral PD, Schilling WP, Schmidt ZW, Uddin AN, Gingras A, Madhavan SM, Garvin JL, Schelling JR. Kidney proximal tubule lipoapoptosis is regulated by fatty acid transporter-2 (FATP2). J Am Soc Nephrol 29(1):81-91, 2018. PMC5748912
- Khan S, Gaivin R, Abramovich C, Boylan M, Calles J, Schelling JR. Fatty Acid Transport Protein-2 (FATP2) regulates glycemic control and diabetic kidney disease. JCI Insight 5(15):136845, 2020. PMC7455077
- Kumar M, Gaivin RJ, Khan S, Fedorov Y, Adams DJ, Zhao WY, Dai X, Lee HY, Dealwis CG, Schelling JR. Definition of Fatty Acid Transport Protein-2 (FATP2) structure facilitates identification of small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of diabetic complications. Int J Biol Macromol 244:125328, 2023. PMC10527240
- García NH, Gaivin RJ, Khan S, Li V, Rbaibi Y, Weisz OA, Garvin JL, Schelling JR. Fatty acids and albumin are transported by distinct mechanisms in the proximal tubule. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 329(4):F444-F451, 2025. PMC12486159
- Khan S, Gaivin RJ, Liu Z, Li V, Son J, Osei-Owusu P, Garvin JL, Accili D, Schelling JR. Fatty acid transport protein-2 inhibition enhances glucose tolerance through pancreatic α-cell-mediated GLP-1 secretion. J Clin Invest 135(23):e192011, 2025. PMC12646670
- Liu Z, Khan S, Gaivin RJ, Li V, Chaba A, Sabir U, Moss FJ, Kasumov T, Mu T, Schelling JR. Apical proximal tubule fatty acid uptake-generated ceramides cause endoplasmic reticulum stress from altered membrane fluidity. JCI Insight 11(15):e199699, 2026. PMC13463616