Honours awarded to diabetes researchers

Mon, 23 May 2011
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has honoured three scientists whose contributions to diabetes research has offered hope for thousands. JDRF, which works to the cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications, awarded John A. Todd and Alvin C. Powers with the David Rumbough Award for Scientific Excellence and Pedro L. Herrera with the Gerold and Kayla Grodsky Basic Research Scientist Award.

The awards to John Todd and Alvin Powers were in recognition of outstanding achievement in diabetes research and service to JDRF. He helped found the JDRF-Wellcome Trust Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, and the development of one of the biggest collections of genetic research in type 1 diabetes. Dr. Powers heads the Vanderbilt Diabetes Center at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and has worked in the area of pancreatic biology, especially islet growth, regeneration and transplantation, for many years.

Pedro L. Herrera, who is an expert in beta cell regeneration, and an authority in the early development of the pancreas, received his award for demonstrating strong leadership and innovation in research into type 1 diabetes. He recently made a breakthrough in showing that the alpha cells of the islets can naturally and spontaneously convert to functioning insulin-producing beta cells .

Eleanor Kennedy, head of research communication at JDRF, commented "I’m delighted that these researchers have been recognised for their dedication and superb scientific contributions in the type 1 arena."

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