2024 - 2025 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
Juan Alvarez, Ph.D., (Year 2) Assistant Professor, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Linking functional maturity to the human islet inflammatory response via integrated bioelectronics & spatial transcriptomic”
Kate Townsend-Creasy, Ph.D., (Year 2) Assistant Professor, Biobehavorial Health Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Evaluating a ketogenic diet for the treatment of genetic disorders of glycogen metabolism”
Theodore Drivas, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Project Title:“Discovering novel roles for the primary cilium in insulin receptor signaling”
Marie Guerraty, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor,Department of Medicine
Project Title: “The cardiometabolic effects of human variant FOG2S657G”
Sarah Henrickson, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Project Title:“Role of Endogenous Retroviruses in T-cell Exhaustion in Obese Asthma”
Stefanie Hinkle, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics
Project Title: “Informing Preconception Guidelines for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Project”
Parker C. Wilson, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: “Single-cell detection of somatic mosaicism in diabetic kidney disease”
2023 - 2024 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
Juan Alvarez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Linking functional maturity to the human islet inflammatory response via integrated bioelectronics & spatial transcriptomic”Joseph Baur, Ph.D., (Year 2) - Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Integration of glucose telemetry with indirect calorimetry”Michael Betts, Ph.D. (Year 2) - Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title: “Islet-specific memory T cell responses upon autologous islet exposure”Vijay Bjoh, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Evaluation of B-cell Targeted CAR T Cells to Induce Durable Beta Islet Cell Tolerance in Type-1 Diabetes“Kate Townsend-Creasy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Evaluating a ketogenic diet for the treatment of genetic disorders of glycogen metabolism”David Hill, M.D., Ph.D. (Year 2) - Assistant Professor, Children's of Pennsylvania
Project Title: "Contribution of novel adipocyte progenitor cell populations to metabolic disease"
2022 - 2023 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
Joseph Baur, Ph.D., (Year 1). Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Integration of glucose telemetry with indirect calorimetry”Michael Betts, Ph.D. (Year 1). Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title: “Islet-specific memory T cell responses upon autologous islet exposure”David Hill, M.D., Ph.D. (Year 1). Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title: "Contribution of novel adipocyte progenitor cell populations to metabolic disease"-
David Merrick, M.D., Ph.D., (Renewal). Research Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Contribution of novel mesenchymal progenitor cell populations to adipose tissue regeneration” -
Priscilla Sato, Ph.D., (Renewal). Assistant Professor, Drexel University
Project Title:“The functional role of GRK2 in regulating islet function“
2021 - 2022 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
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Amber Alhadeff, Ph.D., (Renewal). Assistant Member, Monell
Project Title: "In vivo gut-brin macronutrient signaling and its relationship to obesity" -
Cara Dolin, Ph.D.,(Year 1). Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title: “SPOON (Study of Preconception/Pregnancy fOOD, Nutrition, and dysglycemia” -
David Merrick, M.D., Ph.D.(Year 1). Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title: "Contribution of novel adipocyte progenitor cell populations to metabolic disease" -
Nirinjini Naidoo, Ph.D.,(Year 1). Research Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Project Title:“Altered Glucose handling by tanycytes as a contributing factor in Alzheimer's disease“ -
Priscilla Sato, Ph.D.,(Year 1). Assistant Professor, Drexel University
Project Title:“The functional role of GRK2 in regulating islet function“
2020 - 2021 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
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Amber Alhadeff, Ph.D., (Year 2). Assistant Member, Monell
Project Title: "Uncovering gut-hypothalamic pathways that mediate feeding behavior" -
Diana Stanescu, M.D. (Year 2). Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Project Title: “The role of SLC38A5 in pancreatic α cell development” - Christoph Thaiss, Ph.D.(Year 2). Assistant Professor of Microbiology
Project Title: "Microbiome-clock interactions in metabolic disease" - Jessica Wilson, M.D., M.S. (Year 2). Instructor of Medicine
Project Title:“Metabolic Phenotype and Type 2 Diabetes Polygenic Risk Score“
2019 - 2020 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
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Amanda Ackermann, M.D., Ph.D. (Year 2). Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Project Title: "Identifying Targets to Enhance Beta Cell Response in Diabetes using Single-Cell Functional Genomics” -
Diana Stanescu, M.D. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Project Title: “The role of SLC38A5 in pancreatic α cell development” -
Christoph Thaiss, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Microbiology
Project Title: "Microbiome-clock interactions in metabolic disease" -
Paul Titchenell, Ph.D.,(Year 2). Assistant Professor of Physiology
Project Title: "Regulation of Systemetic Metabolism by Muscle Akt Signaling" -
Jessica Wilson, M.D., M.S.. Instructor of Medicine
Project Title: “Metabolic Phenotype and Type 2 Diabetes Polygenic Risk Score“
2018 - 2019 Pilot and Feasibility Awards
- Amanda Ackermann, M.D., Ph.D., Instructor, Pediatric Endocrinology
Project Title: "Identifying Targets to Enhance Beta Cell Response in Diabetes using Single-Cell Functional Genomics” - Maria Golson, Ph.D., (YEAR 2). Research Assistant Professor of Genetics
Project Title: “Delta-Cell Regulation of Long-Term Beta-Cell Health” - Toshinori Hoshi, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology
Project Title: "The role of TMEM16A anion channels in beta-cell excitability" - Raymond Soccio, M.D., Ph.D, (YEAR 2). Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Title: “PPARa regulatory genetic variation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease“ - Paul Titchenell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology
Project Title: "Regulation of Systemetic Metabolism by Muscle Akt Signaling"
Awarded 2017 - 2018
- J. Nicholas Betley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Project Title: “Defining the role of nutrients in gut -> brain signaling that influences hyperphagic neural circuit activity” - Maria Golson, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Genetics
Project Title: “Delta-Cell Regulation of Long-Term Beta-Cell Health” - Robert Lee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Otorhinolaryngology
Project Title: “Sweet Receptor Regulation of Airway Glucose Transport and Relevance to Upper Respiratory Infections in Diabetes Mellitus” - Salim Merali, Ph.D., Professor; Director of Proteomics/Metabolomics Facility, Temple University
Project Title: “Anti-GLUT4 Carbonyaltion Agents for Treating Insulin Resistance” - Raymond Soccio, M.D., Ph.D, Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Title: “PPARa regulatory genetic variation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease“
Awarded 2016 - 2017
- Rotonya Carr, M.D. (YEAR 2) Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Title: "Mechanisms of Lipid Dysregulation and Insulin Resistance in Alcoholic Liver Disease” - Robert Lee Assistant Professor, Otorhinolaryngology
Project Title: “Sweet Taste Receptor Regulation of Airway Glucose Transport and Relevance to Upper Respiratory Infections in Diabetes Mellitus” - Jorge Henao-Mejia Assistant Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: “Anti-inflammatory IncRNA therapy” - Liming Pei, Ph.D. (YEAR 2) Assistant Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: “CNS ERRγ in regulating energy balance in obesity and diabetes” - Erin Seifert, Ph.D. (YEAR 2) Assistant Professor, Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology
Project Title: “Role of Acyl-CoA thioesterase-2 in systemic and muscle glucose homeostasis” - Kimberly Trout Assistant Professor, Family and Community Health
Project Title: “Effects of increased dietary protein in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)”
Awarded 2015 - 2016
- Yair Argon, Ph.D.(YEAR 2)Professor, Path and Lab Medicine
Project Title: “Modulation of the ER stress response of pancreatic β cells” - Rotonya Carr, M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology
Project Title: “Mechanisms of Lipid Dysregulation and Insulin Resistance in Alcoholic Liver Disease” - Franz Matschinsky, M.D.(YEAR 2) Professor, Biochemistry and Biophysics
Project Title: “Nutritional Signals Mediating Pubertal Development and Fertility - The Role of Gonadotroph Glucokinase” - Liming Pei, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: “CNS ERRγ in regulating energy balance in obesity and diabetes” - Erin Seifert, Ph.D. Assistant Professor (tenure-eligible), Thomas Jefferson University, Department Pathology, Anatomy, Cell Biology
Project Title: “Role of Acyl-CoA thioesterase-2 in systemic and muscle glucose homeostasis” - Zolt Arany, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Cardiology
Project Title: “Understanding Vascular Metabolism” - J. Eduardo Rame, M.Phil., M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Title: “Intramyocardial Lipids in the Diabetic Failing Heart”
Awarded 2014 - 2015
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Lewis, Mitchell, D. Phil Professor Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Project Title: “An inducible transgene regulatory system for gene-based therapies of diabetic retinopathy”
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Matschinsky, Franz M., M.D. Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Project Title: “Nutritional Signals Mediating Pubertal Development and Fertility - The Role of Gonadotroph Glucokinase”
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McCormack, Shana, M.D. Instructor, Pediatrics
Project Title: “Muscle phenotyping by a novel MRI technique in individuals with primary mitochondrial disease at risk for diabetes”
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Schmidt, Heath D. Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
Project Title: “Examination of the behavioral and molecular mechanisms that mediate hyperphagia-induced increases in body weight during nicotine withdrawal”
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Zhang, Qunzhou, Ph.D. Senior Investigator/Research Assistant Professor
Project Title: “NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to BRONJ pathogenesis in type 2 diabetes”
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Wherry, E. John, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Director of the Institute for Immunology
Project Title: “Linking Obesity, Immune Dysfunction and Infection”
Awarded 2013 - 2014
- Yair Argon, Ph.D. Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: “Modulation of the ER Stress Response of Pancreatic β Cells”
- Bart De Jonghe, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Nursing
Project Title: “The Role of Hindbrain POMC Neurons in Energy Balance”
- Elizabeth Grice, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Project Title: “The Effect of Diabetes on the Skin Microbiome”
- David J. Steger, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Title: “Genome-wide Approaches for Determining Transcriptional Pathways Driving Adipocyte Differentiation” YEAR 2
- Kathryn E. Wellen, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology
Project Title: "Role of ATP-Citrate Lyse in Glucose-Regulated Gene Expression" YEAR 2
- Kyoung-Jae Won, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor of Genetics
Project Title: “Integrative Analysis of the Gene Regulation in Brown and White Adipocyte Tissues” YEAR 2
Awarded 2012 - 2013
- Matthew R. Hayes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Project Title: "Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Signaling in the Venetral Tegmental Area and Nucleus Accumbens in Control of Food Intake"
- Edward B. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: "Genomic and Regional Targets of Leptin Receptor Signaling" - Changhong Li, M.D., Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics / Endocrinology
Project Title: "The Role of Glycine and its Receptor in Regulation of Islets Function and Glucose Homeostasis"
- David J. Steger, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Medicine
Project Title: "Genome-wide Approaches for Determining Transcriptional Pathways Driving Adipocyte Differentiation"
- Marion Vetter, M.D., R.D., Instructor of Medicine
Project Title: "A Mechanistic Study of the Role of Endogenous Glucagon-like Peptide-1(GLP-1) in Improved Postmeal Glucose Tolerance Following Two Types of Bariatric Surgery versus Diet" YEAR 2
- Kathryn E. Wellen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Cancer Biology
Project Title: "Role of ATP-Citrate Lyse in Glucose-Regulated Gene Expression"
- Kyoung-Jae Won, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor of Genetics
Project Title: "Comparative Epigenomic Analysis in Brown and White Adipocyte Tissues"
Awarded 2011 - 2012
- Raymond Townsend, M.D., Professor of Medicine
Project Title: “Glucose levels and aortic velocity - Marion Vetter, M.D., R.D., Instructor of Medicine
Project Title: "A Mechanistic Study of the Role of Endogenous Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) in Improved Glucose Tolerance after Two Types of Bariatric Surgery"
- George Cotsarelis, M.D., Albert M. Kligman Professor of Dermatology
Project Title: “Evaluating stem cells and regenerative potential of cells in cutaneous wounds of diabetic mice” YEAR 2
- Brett Kaufman, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
Project Title: “An expanding role for mitochondrial DNA copy number regulation in beta cell adaptation” YEAR 2 - Patrick Seale, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
Project Title: “Regulation of adipose development and function by the Evi1 transcriptional coregulator” YEAR 2
Awarded 2010 - 2011
- George Cotsarelis, M.D., Albert M. Kligman
Professor of Dermatology
Project Title: “Evaluating stem cells and regenerative potential of cells in cutaneous wounds of diabetic mice” - Randolph Matthews, M.D., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics,
Project Title: “Zebrafish models of hepatic steatosis” - Patrick Seale, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Cell and
Developmental Biology
Project Title: “Regulation of adipose development and function by the Evi1 transcriptional coregulator” - Paul Gadue, Ph.D.,Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Project Title: “TGF-beta family signaling in endoderm specification” YEAR 2 - James Shorter, MA, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of
Biochemistry and Biophysics
Project Title: “Elimination of amylin amyloidogenesis and proteotoxicity using Hsp104” YEAR 2 - Marina Cuchel, M.D., Ph.D.,
Research Assistant Professor
of Medicine
Project Title: “Beta-cell function in patients with ABCA1 mutations” YEAR 2 - Joseph A. Baur, Ph.D.,
Instructor, Department of
Physiology
Project Title: “Characterization of Nampt transgenic mice” YEAR 2
Awarded 2009 - 2010
- Dimitrios S. Monos, Ph.D., "A multilocus analysis of genetic variability in T1D, aided by targeted next generation sequencing"
- Hillary R. Bogner, M.D., "Integrating depression services into Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) management among older black Americans"
- Brett A. Kaufman, Ph.D.,"The contribution of mitochondrial DNA dynamics to phenotypes associated with hyperglycemia"
- Sangwon F. Kim, Ph.D., “The Role of Inositol Polyphosphate MultiKinase in AMPK regulation”
- Marina Cuchel, M.D., Ph.D.,“Beta-cell function in patients with ABCA1 mutations”
- Joseph A. Baur, Ph.D., “Characterization of Nampt transgenic mice”
- James Shorter, MA, Ph.D.,“Elimination of amylin amyloidogenesis and proteotoxicity using Hsp104”
- Paul Gadue, Ph.D., “TGF-beta family signaling in endoderm specification”
Awarded for 2008 - 2009
- Sangwon F. Kim, Ph.D., “The Role of Inositol Polyphosphate MultiKinase in AMPK regulation”
- Marina Cuchel, M.D., Ph.D., “Beta-cell function in patients with ABCA1 mutations”
- Joseph A. Baur, Ph.D., “Characterization of Nampt transgenic mice”
- James Shorter, M.A., Ph.D., “Elimination of amylin amyloidogenesis and proteotoxicity using Hsp104”
- Paul Gadue, Ph.D., “TGF-beta family signaling in endoderm specification”
Awarded for 2007 - 2008
- Kendra K. Bence, Ph.D., "Role of Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in Central Nervous System Control of Body Mass" (Continuation).
- Anne Cappola, M.D., Sc.M., "Insulin Resistance and Testosterone in Non-Diabetic Postmenopausal Women" (Continuation).
- Jake Kushner, M.D., "Mitogenic signals that govern beta cell proliferation".
- Catherine L. May, Ph.D., "Transcriptional Control of Pancreas Development and function" (Continuation).
- Jane M. Vanderkooi, Ph.D., "Biophysical Basis of Glucose Sensing in Humans" (Continuation).
Awarded for 2006 - 2007
- Kendra K. Bence, Ph.D., "Role of Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in Central Nervous System Control of Body Mass".
- Anne Cappola, M.D., Sc.M., "Insulin Resistance and Testosterone in Non-Diabetic Postmenopausal Women with the Metabolic Syndrome".
- Kathryn M. Ferguson, Ph.D., "Mechanism of Ligand Induced Activation of the Insulin Receptor" (continuation).
- Catherine L. May, Ph.D., "Transcriptional Control of Pancreas Development and Function".
- Michael R. Rickels, M.D. "B-Cell Function and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 in Isolated Islet and Whole Pancreas Transplantation" (continuation).
- Eric Rulifson, Ph.D., "Development of Drosophila glucoregulatory Corpora cardica cells" (continuation).
- Jane M. Vanderkooi, Ph.D., "Biophysical Basis of Glucose Sensing in Humans" .
Awarded for 2005 - 2006
- Tracy L. Bale, Ph.D., “Obesity as a stress-sensitive disease of addiction" .
- Kathryn M. Ferguson, Ph.D. “Mechanism of Ligand Induced Activation of Insulin Receptor”.
- Andrea Kelly, M.D., “Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Metabolic Syndrome”.
- Kazuko Nishikura, Ph.D. “RNA Editing and Diabetes”.
- Michael R. Rickels, M.D. “Beta-Cell Function and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 in Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation”.
- Eric Rulifson, Ph.D. "Development of Drosophila glucoregulatory Corpora cardicum cells" .
Awarded for 2004 - 2005
- Karen Otto Badellino, Ph.D. "Regulation of Endothelial Lipase by Adipose-Derived Cytokines".
- Tracy L. Bale, Ph.D. "Obesity, Reward, and the Endogenous Opioid System".
- Diva DeLeon, D.M.D. "Role of Incretin Hormones in Congenital Hyperinsulinism".
- Claire M. Steppan, M.Ph.D. "The Role of Altered Adipocyte Gene Expression in HIV-associate".
- David F. Wilson, Ph.D. "Retinal Oxygenation and Diabetes".
Awarded for 2003 - 2004
- Wei Guo, Ph.D. "The Role of the Exocyst Complex in Insulin-mediated Glut 4 Translocation".
- Volker H. Haase, M.D. "The Role of the von Hippel-lindau Tumor Suppressor in Pancreatic Islet Cell Development, Cell Growth and Apoptosis".
- Andrea Kelly, M.D. "Endocrinology Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Metabolic Syndrome in Children".
- Claire M. Steppan, Ph.D. "The Role of Altered Adipocyte Gene Expression in HIV-associated Lipodystropy and Insulin Resistance".
