Paul B. Kaplowitz, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Endocrinology, has practiced pediatric endocrinology since 1982 and has published more than 55 papers, particularly in the area of growth and puberty disorders. He published an article in Pediatrics in 1999 that reviewed data suggesting puberty in girls was starting earlier than in the past. This touched off a period of heightened scientific and media discussion of whether female puberty was in fact starting earlier and if so, why. An article he published in Pediatrics in 2001 supported the idea that the increase in obesity might be driving the trend for earlier onset of puberty. He has been an advocate for caution in the use of therapies such as growth hormone and Lupron for children who are borderline in their growth or pubertal maturation. Among his current research interests are the effect of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on weight gain and weight loss in children, and and the significance of a borderline elevation of serum TSH, as well as suppression of TSH without other signs of hyperthyroidism. Dr. Kaplowitz is married and has two sons and two grandchildren.