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Merlin Butler | Health Professions | Lifetime achievement Award

Professor at University of Kansas Medical Center, United States.

Dr. Merlin G. Butler, MD, PhD, FFACMG, is a distinguished medical geneticist and professor with a career spanning over four decades. He serves as a tenured Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he was also the Director of the Division of Research and Genetics and Medical Director of the Genetics Clinic. Dr. Butler is recognized for his contributions to the understanding and treatment of genetic disorders, particularly in neurodevelopmental disabilities and rare conditions like Prader-Willi syndrome. His expertise extends to clinical genetics, cytogenetics, and pharmacogenetics, impacting both patient care and research. His work in genetics has advanced diagnostic methods and provided crucial insights into complex conditions. With over 500 peer-reviewed articles, numerous books, and countless accolades, Dr. Butler has established himself as a leader in the field, dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by genetic disorders.

Publication Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Butler earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska in 1978 and completed his PhD from Indiana University. His postdoctoral training includes an American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG)-accredited fellowship in medical genetics, which he completed in 1983. In 1984, he became a Diplomate of the ABMG. His education laid a robust foundation in clinical and cytogenetics, empowering him to develop diagnostic methods and pioneer research in genetic disorders. Over his career, Dr. Butler has combined his medical and scientific expertise to focus on rare genetic disorders, contributing to both research and patient care. He is also a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), cementing his role as a leading figure in the medical genetics community.

Dr. Butler’s extensive experience spans academia, clinical practice, and research. Before joining the University of Kansas in 2008, he served as Director of the Regional Genetics Program at Vanderbilt University (1984–1998) and Section Chief of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital (1998–2008). His clinical focus involved genetic services for neurodevelopmental and rare genetic disorders. At the University of Kansas, he directed the Genetics Clinic and led research on genetic conditions. Dr. Butler also held the William R. Brown Endowed Chair in Medical Genetics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he directed the ABMG Training Program. Throughout his career, Dr. Butler has trained numerous fellows, residents, and students while leading cutting-edge genetics research initiatives, solidifying his leadership in medical genetics and advancing clinical care.

Dr. Butler’s research focuses on neurodevelopmental disabilities, rare genetic disorders, and the use of pharmacogenetics to enhance patient care. He is renowned for his work on Prader-Willi syndrome, obesity-related genetic disorders, autism, and congenital anomalies. His research integrates advanced genomic testing approaches, many of which he helped develop, to identify gene variants responsible for these conditions. Additionally, his studies on the genetics of obesity, psychiatric genetics, and genotype-phenotype correlations have influenced clinical approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Butler’s work has contributed significantly to the understanding of the natural history of rare syndromes and the application of personalized genomic-driven medical care, particularly in the areas of autism and developmental disabilities.

Skills 🧠

Dr. Butler’s skills encompass clinical genetics, medical research, genomic testing, pharmacogenetics, and mentorship. His proficiency in identifying gene variants through advanced genomic testing has improved diagnostic methods for rare genetic disorders. He is skilled in correlating genotypes with phenotypes, advancing personalized medicine approaches for complex conditions such as Prader-Willi syndrome and autism. Additionally, Dr. Butler excels in academic leadership, having directed genetics programs and fellowships, and has a proven ability to train and mentor the next generation of medical geneticists. His clinical expertise in managing neurodevelopmental disabilities and rare disorders also complements his research, making him an expert in both the theoretical and practical aspects of medical genetics.

Award and Honors 🏆

Dr. Butler has been honored with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, reflecting his impact on medical genetics. He received the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (PWSA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and the Distinguished Service Award from PWSA in 2019. He has been included in Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors in Kansas City for over a decade. In 2021, Dr. Butler received the Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who and the Gregor Mendel Award for his contributions to genetics research. His recognition extends to numerous teaching accolades, including the Osler Institute Teaching Award and the University of Kansas Chancellor’s Club Research Award, further highlighting his excellence in education, clinical care, and research.

Conclusion✅

Dr. Merlin G. Butler is a highly suitable candidate for the Lifetime Achievement Award in research. His prolific contributions to genetic research, clinical practice, and education, along with his extensive leadership roles and numerous prestigious awards, make him a strong contender for this recognition. His work has had a significant impact on improving diagnosis, treatment, and care for patients with genetic disorders, and his influence on both the scientific community and patient care is clear.

Publications

📚 Behavioral and Psychiatric Disorders in Syndromic Autism
📝 Genovese, A.C., Butler, M.G.
📅 2024
🔍 Brain Sciences, 14(4), 343

📚 Mowat–Wilson Syndrome: Case Report and Review of ZEB2 Gene Variant Types, Protein Defects, and Molecular Interactions
📝 St. Peter, C., Hossain, W.A., Lovell, S., Rafi, S.K., Butler, M.G.
📅 2024
🔍 International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(5), 2838

📚 Diazoxide Choline Extended-Release Tablet in People with Prader-Willi Syndrome: Results from Long-Term Open-Label Study
📝 Miller, J.L., Gevers, E., Bridges, N., Cowen, N.M., Bhatnagar, A.
📅 2024
🔍 Obesity, 32(2), pp. 252–261

📚 Genetics of Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract with Congenital Heart Disease: A Review
📝 Barakat, A.J., Butler, M.G.
📅 2024
🔍 Clinical Genetics

📚 The Arduous Path to Drug Approval for the Management of Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Historical Perspective and Call to Action
📝 Singh, D., Miller, J.L., Wassman, E.R., Converse, M., Picone, M.
📅 2023
🔍 International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(14), 11574

📚 Intranasal Carbetocin Reduces Hyperphagia, Anxiousness, and Distress in Prader-Willi Syndrome: CARE-PWS Phase 3 Trial
📝 Roof, E., Deal, C.L., McCandless, S.E., Cotter, S.P., Ryman, D.C.
📅 2023
🔍 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 108(7), pp. 1696–1708

📚 Diazoxide Choline Extended-Release Tablet in People With Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
📝 Miller, J.L., Gevers, E., Bridges, N., Viskochil, D., Wilding, P.J.
📅 2023
🔍 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 108(7), pp. 1676–1685

📚 Purification and Functional Characterization of Novel Human Skeletal Stem Cell Lineages
📝 Hoover, M.Y., Ambrosi, T.H., Steininger, H.M., Longaker, M., Chan, C.K.F.
📅 2023
🔍 Nature Protocols, 18(7), pp. 2256–2282

📚 Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Prader-Willi Syndrome
📝 Butler, M.G., Victor, A.K., Reiter, L.T.
📅 2023
🔍 Clinical Autonomic Research, 33(3), pp. 281–286

📚 Evaluation of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Childhood Obesity and Prader-Willi Syndrome
📝 Richer, L.P., Tan, Q., Butler, M.G., Freemark, M., Haqq, A.M.
📅 2023
🔍 International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(9), 8013

Merlin Butler | Health Professions | Lifetime achievement Award

Merlin Butler | Health Professions | Lifetime achievement Award

Publication Profile

Skills 🧠

Award and Honors 🏆

Conclusion✅

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Merlin Butler | Health Professions | Lifetime achievement Award

Publication Profile

Skills 🧠

Award and Honors 🏆

Conclusion✅

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