Achievements & News

Dr. Scott Soleimanpour is interviewed by WDIV’s Medical Expert, Dr. Frank McGeorge
Dr. Scott Soleimanpour interviewed by WDIV’s medical expert, Dr. Frank McGeorge.
Dr. Gemma Pearson presents her work at the 2019 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions
Dr. Gemma Pearson presents her work at the 2019 ADA Scientific Sessions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Awards & Distinctions

  • Congratulations to Dr. Emily Walker for her promotion to Research Assistant Professor (2023).
  • Dr. Becca Davidson joined our group as a postdoctoral researcher and was awarded a position on the T32 training grant in Basic Diabetes Research (2023).
  • Belle Henry received a perfect score on her F31 application from the NIDDK!
  • Sheridan Mikhail joined our group as a graduate student and was awarded a position on the T32 training grant in Experimental Immunology (2023).
  • Belle Henry was chosen to intern in In Vivo Pharmacology, Department of Translational Oncology at Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA (summer 2023).
  • Elena Levi-D’Ancona won an Oral Presentation Award at the 2023 Midwest Islet Club meeting, and Drs. Jin Li and Emily Walker won poster awards.
  • Belle Henry won a poster presentation award at the Caswell Diabetes Institute-Metabolism, Obesity & Diabetes (CDI-MOD) symposium (2023). 
  • Abstract by Anne Lietzke was selected for an oral presentation at the JDRF Centers of Excellence Meeting (2023).
  • K01 Research Scientist Development grant from the NIDDK was awarded to Dr. Emily Walker (2023).

More Awards & Distinctions

  • Abstract by Dr. Emily Walker was selected for an oral presentation at the Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) meeting (2022).
  • Congratulations to Dr. Vaibhav Sidarala who was promoted to Research Investigator in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Sidarala is excited to be able to continue his work on mitochondrial dynamics and regulation of β-cell secretion in this new position (2022).
  • Congratulations to Morgan, now Dr. Gingerich, as she successfully defended her thesis in June (2022).
  • Belle Henry was selected to participate in the Cellular Biotechnology Training Program.
  • Dr. Emily Walker chaired the “Beta Cell Development and Postnatal Growth” session at the ADA (2022).
  • Elena Levi-D’Acona was selected to be a part of the Career Training in the Biology of Aging T32.
  • Dr. Emily Walker was selected to give a plenary talk at the ADA meeting (2021).
  • Dr. Scott Soleimanpour is a new member of the ADA and EASD Precision Medicine in Diabetes Initiative (PMDI) to develop the next Consensus Report of the PMDI in 2022, focused on Precision Prognostics in T1D (2020).
  • Systems and Integrative Biology T32 Training Grant awarded to Anne Lietzke (2020).
  • Research Training in Experimental Immunology T32 Training Grant awarded to Elena Levi-D'Ancona (2020).
  • Congratulations to Dr. Gemma Pearson who was promoted to Research Investigator in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Pearson is excited to be able to continue her work on mitochondrial regulation of β-cell identity in this new position (2020).
  • Congratulations to Dr. Vaibhav Sidarala for the successful publication of his work entitled Mitophagy Protects Beta Cells from Inflammatory Damage in Diabetes (2020).
  • The Soleimanpour Lab has been invited to join the NIH Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) Consortium. As part of the HIRN Consortium on Beta Cell Death and Survival, the Soleimanpour lab will investigate the integrated roles of beta cell proinsulin misfolding, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of T1D, together with collaborators at Michigan Medicine (2020).
  • Dr. Scott Soleimanpour selected to serve a two-year term on the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions Planning Committee. He will be Co-Chair of the Islet Biology/Insulin Secretion Program (2020).
  • Abstract by Dr. Vaibhav Sidarala selected for oral presentation at the ADA Scientific Sessions (2020).
  • National Institutes of Health F31 Predoctoral Fellowship awarded to Morgan Gingerich (2020).
  • Dr. Scott Soleimanpour named Associate Director, Director of T1D Basic Research, and Director of Enrichment Programs for the Elizabeth Weiser Caswell Diabetes Institute (2020).
  • American Diabetes Association Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Dr. Gemma Pearson (2019).

In the News

Community Outreach

Morgan Gingerich

  • Serves as the Director of an annual week-long series Biology Lab for high school students with the Office of Health Equity and Inclusion Michigan Health Sciences Pre-College Exposure Academy.
  • Annual mentorship of Forsythe Middle School students’ science fair projects by supporting students in developing a research question and hypothesis, conducting experiments, interpreting their results, and formatting a presentation.
  • Volunteers for Females Excelling More in Math Engineering and the Sciences (FEMMES) Capstones events. Includes a biannual day-long hands-on science workshop for 4th-6th grade girls from the Detroit area that exposes girls to STEM and fosters mentorship.
  • Leads hands-on lessons on human physiology at Ypsilanti’s Estabrook Elementary School to 3rd-5th graders who lack a designated science curriculum with SEEK: Science Education & Engagement for Kids.

Elena Levi-D'Ancona

  • Participates on the Immunology Program DEI Committee with the goal of welcoming and promoting diversity at the student and faculty levels for the Immunology Department. 
  • Volunteers for Females Excelling More in Math Engineering and the Sciences (FEMMES) Capstones events. Includes a biannual day-long hands-on science workshop for 4th-6th grade girls from the Detroit area that exposes girls to STEM and fosters mentorship. 

Anne Lietzke

Gemma Pearson