Our division is committed to improving the quality of healthcare and to training the next generation of innovative researchers
Discovery and application of new knowledge is the path to improve the lives of people with diabetes and metabolic disease. Our investigators conduct basic, clinical and translational research on the etiology, prevention, treatment, and complications of diabetes, obesity and endocrine disorders.
Our researchers are committed to building the next generation of innovative, diverse, strategic researchers in the fields of diabetes and obesity. We have several programs dedicated to training undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, and to support the career development of junior and mid-level investigators.
Research Centers
- Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC): The Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) is an NIH-sponsored Diabetes Center that facilitates the discovery, application and translation of scientific knowledge to improve the care of patients with diabetes.
- Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center: The Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center (MMPC) was founded in 2001 to provide phenotyping services for mouse models of metabolic disease.
Research Labs
- Blind Lab: Exploring second messenger signaling in the nucleus
Danielle Dean Lab: How tissues communicate to regulate nutrient homeostasis and how this is dysregulated in disease.
Fiona Harrison Lab: The role of vitamin C and its transporters (SVCT1 & SVCT2) in brain function during development and in neurodegenerative diseases.
Gannon Lab: The role of genes and signaling pathways involved in the development, function, and regeneration of specific cell types within the pancreas
MAP-T1D: Multicenter assessment of Type 1 Diabetes and the pancreas
Kevin Niswender Lab: The neuroendocrine regulation of feeding and pathogenesis of obesity
Stafford Lab: How obesity and diabetes contribute to cardiovascular risk
Powers and Brissova Research Group: Understand and reverse β cell and islet abnormalities and dysfunction in diabetes