Dr. Giovanni Targher is a world-renowned specialist whose pioneering work has transformed our understanding of metabolic disorders and their systemic complications. He currently serves as Professor of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the University of Verona Medical School, where he also coordinates the PhD program in Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences. Having received his MD from the University of Verona in 1991 and completed his specialization in Endocrinology and Diabetology in 1996, he has established himself as a leading authority in metabolic medicine through decades of rigorous clinical investigation. His long-standing academic career at this prestigious Italian institution has positioned him at the forefront of research connecting endocrine disorders with multi-organ damage.
Dr. Targher's groundbreaking research has fundamentally redefined non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a critical multisystem disorder rather than a simple hepatic condition, demonstrating its profound implications for cardiovascular health through landmark epidemiological studies. His highly influential 2016 meta-analysis in the Journal of Hepatology established NAFLD as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, reshaping clinical understanding of metabolic disease pathophysiology. With an impressive publication record exceeding 470 peer-reviewed articles cited over 25,000 times and an h-index of 79, his work has provided the scientific foundation for integrating liver health assessments into comprehensive diabetes and cardiovascular disease management protocols worldwide. This research has been instrumental in changing clinical practice guidelines to recognize NAFLD as a key component of metabolic syndrome with systemic consequences.
Beyond his substantial research contributions, Dr. Targher has been recognized by Expertscape as a World Expert in Fatty Liver placing him in the top 0.003% of global scholars in this field, and serves as Honorary Editor-in-Chief of Metabolism and Target Organ Damage. His leadership extends through editorial board positions at prestigious journals including Diabetes Care and Clinical Science, where he helps shape the direction of evidence-based medicine in metabolic disorders. Dr. Targher's ongoing research continues to explore the complex mechanisms linking metabolic dysfunction with target organ damage, focusing on developing targeted prevention strategies for cardiovascular complications in high-risk diabetic populations. His translational approach bridges clinical observation with practical applications, maintaining his position as a globally influential voice in the evolving understanding of metabolic disease as a multisystem condition.
