Diabetes Research Centers

Lori Sussel PhD Lori Sussel PhD
University of Colorado Denver University of Colorado Denver
The main focus of the Sussel lab is to understand the complex transcriptional networks that regulate development, differentiation and function of the pancreas. We have identified several novel regulatory pathways that are essential for islet lineage specification, normal pancreas development and the maintenance of beta cell maturation.
The University of Colorado Denver is world renowned for basic, translational, and clinical diabetes research and treatment of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D), and their related complications. The University of Colorado Diabetes Research Center will provide improved infrastructure and access to specialized reagents and resources, and an environment that promotes scientific interactions, research discoveries, and progress towards diabetes treatment and cures.
Seung K Kim Seung K Kim MD PhD
Stanford University Stanford University
Seung K. Kim is Professor in the Department of Developmental Biology and, by courtesy, in the Department of Medicine (Oncology Division) at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he has been a faculty member since 1998.
The mission of the Stanford Diabetes Research Center is to support basic and clinical research to discover, apply and translate science about diabetes and it complications, to improve health and wellness.
Alan R Saltiel Alan R Saltiel PhD
UCSD-UCLA UCSD-UCLA
Dr. Alan Saltiel investigates the hormone insulin and its role in regulating cellular sugar levels, including how cells send and receive signals. Understanding these processes may shed light on dysfunctioning glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly as it related to Type 2 diabetes.
The overall mission of the UCSD-UCLA DRC is to foster research in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications, and to improve the lives of patients suffering from this devastating disease.
W Timothy Garvey W Timothy Garvey MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Alabama at Birmingham
The Garvey laboratory is interested in the molecular, metabolic, and genetic basis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and obesity.
The Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRC) focuses on developing new methods to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure diabetes and its complications.
Alexander Soukas MD PhD Alexander Soukas MD PhD
Boston Area Boston Area
Dr. Soukas’ research program focuses on identification of new means to promote healthy aging. Using a combination of genetic approaches in model systems from cells to worms to mice, Dr. Soukas’ laboratory has recently determined how the anti-diabetic medication metformin exerts its anti-cancer and anti-aging effects.
The Boston Area Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center is a consortium of laboratory-based and clinical investigators whose efforts are directed toward addressing many of the major research questions bearing on the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment and cure of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Kevan C Herold Kevan C Herold MD
Yale University Yale University
My background and research are in translational immunology. I am interested in understanding the basis for autoimmune diseases and developing new therapies based on our understanding of disease mechanisms.
The Yale Diabetes Research Center (DRC) was established in the spring of 1993 with the goal of promoting research in diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine disorders at the university.
Graeme Bell Graeme Bell PhD
University of Chicago University of Chicago
Dr. Bell’s research focuses on the genetics of diabetes mellitus. Ongoing studies in his laboratory include the genetics of type 2 diabetes in the Mexican American population of Starr County, Texas.
The University of Chicago Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) provides resources for the support and coordination of the research and training activities in diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine disorders of a large and growing number of independently funded but highly interactive investigators.
Raghavendra G Mirmira Raghavendra G Mirmira MD PhD
University of Chicago University of Chicago
Dr. Mirmira’s research program over the past 10 years has centered upon the biology of islets as it relates to islet development/growth, maintenance, and survival.
The University of Chicago Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) provides resources for the support and coordination of the research and training activities in diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine disorders of a large and growing number of independently funded but highly interactive investigators.
Gerald I Shulman Gerald I Shulman MD PhD
Yale University Yale University
Dr. Shulman is the George R. Cowgill Professor of Medicine, Cellular & Molecular Physiology and Physiological Chemistry at Yale University, where he serves as Co-Director of the Yale Diabetes Research Center and Director of the Yale Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center.
The Yale Diabetes Research Center (DRC) was established in the spring of 1993 with the goal of promoting research in diabetes and related metabolic and endocrine disorders at the university.
Jeffrey E Pessin Jeffrey E Pessin PhD
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Albert Einstein College of Medicine
The Pessin laboratory is analyzing insulin signaling at the molecular level, the regulation of glucose uptake and metabolism at the cellular, molecular level and the integrative systems of metabolism in normal and pathophysiologic states in genetic rodent models.
The Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC) comprises a vibrant, extensive, diverse, well-funded and highly productive program that provides the foundation for high-quality and cutting-edge research in diabetes and related studies in obesity, metabolism and endocrinology.
Mitchell A Lazar Mitchell A Lazar MD PhD
University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania
Lazar has made fundamental contributions to the fields of nuclear receptors and the transcriptional regulation of metabolism, including the discovery of the circadian nuclear receptor REV-ERBα, as well as its ligand and repression mechanisms.
The Penn Diabetes Research Center participates in the nationwide inter-disciplinary program established over forty years ago by the NIDDK to foster research and training in the areas of diabetes and related endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Scott Soleimanpour MD Scott Soleimanpour MD
University of Michigan University of Michigan

Scott Soleimanpour, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Investigator in the Brehm Diabetes Research Center, and Director of the Diabetes Transition Program at the University of Michigan Medical School. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in 1986, Dr.
The goal of the Michigan Diabetes Research Center (MDRC) is to establish, promote, and enhance multidisciplinary and collaborative basic biomedical and clinical research among member investigators studying diabetes, its complications, and related endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Carmella Evans-Molina MD PhD Carmella Evans-Molina MD PhD
Indiana University Indiana University
The goals of Dr. Evans-Molina’s research program are (1) to define the molecular and inflammatory etiologies of b cell dysfunction in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and (2) to identify novel stem cell based strategies to improve b cell survival in diabetes.
The Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases (CDMD) at IU School of Medicine is a world-renowned center focused on centralizing and fostering research along five fundamental themes to strengthen the diabetes research base throughout Indiana.
Steven E Kahn Steven E Kahn MB ChB
University of Washington University of Washington
Dr. Kahn received his medical degree from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is an endocrinologist whose research focuses on the mechanisms responsible for the critical impairments in insulin secretion that result in the development of diabetes.
The University of Washington (UW) Diabetes Research Center (DRC) at the University of Washington is one of 16 Diabetes Research Centers sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to promote basic, translational, and clinical research on diabetes and related metabolic disorders.
Jean E Schaffer MD Jean E Schaffer MD
Joslin Diabetes Center Joslin Diabetes Center
The goals of our work are to characterize the fundamental cellular mechanisms of metabolic stress from substrate excess, and to understand how this process contributes to diabetes complications.
Since its inception in 1898, the primary mission of the Joslin Diabetes Center has been to care for people with diabetes, and conduct research to provide new knowledge about diabetes and its complications that will lead to new treatments, prevention and/or cure of these disorders.
Donald A McClain MD PhD Donald A McClain MD PhD
North Carolina North Carolina
My research concerns the molecular mechanisms of type 2 diabetes and the effects of iron on metabolism and risk for chronic diseases. These studies encompass basic mechanistic approaches using animal and cell culture models, as well as multicenter human clinical trials.

The mission of the North Carolina Diabetes Research Center (NCDRC) is to create and support an interactive regional diabetes research community (184 members) across four premiere research institutions in North Carolina, who currently garner over $70 million annually for support of their diabetes

Clay F Semenkovich Clay F Semenkovich MD
Washington University in St Louis Washington University in St Louis
Clay F. Semenkovich, M.D., is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research and Professor of Medicine and of Cell Biology and Physiology.
The mission of the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) Diabetes Research Center (DRC) is to support and enhance research in diabetes and related metabolic diseases.
Domenico Accili Domenico Accili MD
Columbia University Columbia University
The Accili laboratory studies the mechanism of insulin action and the pathogenesis of diabetes, with a focus on pancreatic beta cell failure.
The Columbia University Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center provides research support for investigators pursuing research on diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Alvin C Powers Alvin C Powers MD
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University
The purpose of our research is to understand how glucose stimulates insulin secretion by pancreatic islet cells and to characterize and reverse abnormalities in this process that are present in diabetes.
The Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC), is a NIH-sponsored Diabetes Center that facilitates the discovery, application, and translation of scientific knowledge to improve the lives of people with diabetes.
Diabetes Centers

NIDDK Diabetes Centers

NIDDK’s Diabetes Centers program supports extramural research institutions that have established an existing base of high-quality, diabetes-related research. Diabetes Research Centers are part of an integrated program of diabetes and related endocrinology and metabolism research.  Diabetes Research Centers (DRCs) promote new discoveries and enhance scientific progress through the support of cutting-edge basic and clinical research related to the etiology and complications of diabetes, with the goal of rapidly translating research findings into novel strategies for the prevention, treatment and cure of diabetes and related conditions. Centers for Diabetes Translation Research (CDTR) support and enhance type II translation research (e.g., moving from efficacy to testing effectiveness in real world practice and communities and dissemination and implementation science) related to diabetes prevention and treatment.  The CDTRs are intended to enhance the efficiency, productivity, and multidisciplinary nature of diabetes translation research through shared access to specialized technical expertise and resources.