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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Lewis, Mitchell, D. Phil Professor Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
    Project Title: “An inducible transgene regulatory system for gene-based therapies of diabetic retinopathy

  • Matschinsky, Franz M., M.D. Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics 
    Project Title: “Nutritional Signals Mediating Pubertal Development and Fertility - The Role of Gonadotroph Glucokinase”

  • 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”

  • 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”

  • Zhang, Qunzhou, Ph.D. Senior Investigator/Research Assistant Professor
    Project Title: “NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to BRONJ pathogenesis in type 2 diabetes”

  • 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".