AvivaBrachaSopherMDMS

Overview of Dr. Sopher

I am a pediatric endocrinologist with interests that include polycysytic ovary syndrome (PCOS), bone health, disorders of puberty, thyroid disorders, pituitary disorders and growth disorders. In addition to my training in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, I have Master of Science degrees in Nutrition and in Patient Oriented Research and have completed a research fellowship at the Body Composition Unit of Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). My responsibilites include my clinical practice, overseeing clinical and research fellows, mentoring students, and running a clinical study. I am a certified clinical densitometrist by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry and interpret pediatric bone mineral density studies performed at CUMC. I have recently completed the TRANSFORM KL2 program sponsored by the Irving Institute of Clincal and Translational Research, a mentored career development program.
My research project, “A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of metformin for hepatic fat in adolescents and young adults with polycystic ovary syndrome” has the primary goal of exploring the use of novel and noninvasive testing and a pilot double-blind placebo-controlled trial of metformin with the intention of identifying and potentially treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents and young adults with PCOS. My research is unique in that it uses minimally invasive body composition methodology, which makes it particularly attractive for use in adolescents and young adults. My overall clinical research goal is early identification and treatment of metabolic and body composition abnormalities associated with PCOS and to prevent lifelong morbidity associated with this disorder in a young population
My training in endocrinology, body composition and nutrition gives me a distinctive perspective to patient care. I integrate my knowledge in these areas in order to best treat my patients.