Biography
Dr. Karen L. Herbst is a board-certified endocrinologist and internationally recognized authority on lipedema, Dercum’s disease, and adipose connective tissue disorders. She serves as Head of Research at The Roxbury Institute’s Advanced Lipedema Treatment (ALT) program and as Director of Diagnostic and Preventative Medicine at the Institute’s Center in Tucson, Arizona. She is also Vice President of the Lipedema World Alliance.
Dr. Herbst’s work has fundamentally shaped the global understanding of lipedema. She led the NIH-sponsored 2019 conference that helped establish the Standard of Care for Lipedema in the United States and played a pivotal role in the implementation of ICD-10 diagnostic codes at the CDC in 2020. Her research explores the complex interplay between lymphatic dysfunction, vascular changes, metabolic and hormonal regulation, immune dysregulation, and genetic contributors associated with lipedema and related disorders.
At The Roxbury Institute, Dr. Herbst collaborates closely with Dr. David Amron to bridge gaps between research and clinical application, accelerating novel therapies and expanding diagnostic frameworks that move beyond surgery alone. Through the Diagnostic & Preventative Center, she advances comprehensive strategies aimed at identifying and preventing disease progression in lipedema and other fat disorders.
Dr. Herbst earned her Ph.D. in Cell Physiology from the University of Iowa, completed a Howard Hughes Fellowship at the University of Utah, and obtained her medical degree from Rush Medical College. She completed her residency and fellowship in Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition at the University of Washington. Throughout her career, she has held academic appointments at UCLA, UCSD/VA San Diego, and the University of Arizona, where she led the TREAT program focused on adipose tissue and metabolism.
Her contributions have earned national recognition, including the 2024 PRS Global Open Best Reconstructive Paper Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tucson Business.
At the Lipedema Summit, Dr. Herbst shares research-driven insights into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and evolving treatment strategies for lipedema and related connective tissue disorders.
