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American Diabetes Association Awards 2025 Pathway to Stop Diabetes Grants

On February 11, 2025, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced its 2025 recipients of the Pathway to Stop Diabetes grants, a program dedicated to fueling innovation in diabetes research. This year, the ADA allocated over $6.1 million to support groundbreaking projects in translation and clinical sciences, technology, and potential therapies aimed at combating diabetes.

The Pathway program specifically targets early-career scientists who showcase creativity, exceptional innovation, and productivity in diabetes research. Recipients enjoy funding over five to seven years, allowing them to pursue innovative ideas without traditional project limitations. Furthermore, these researchers are paired with distinguished diabetes experts who provide mentorship and guidance throughout their research journey.

This year, notable recipients included:

1. Ilia Droujinine, PhD, Scripps Research Institute

Dr. Droujinine's groundbreaking project titled "Decoding and Validating Interorgan Communication Proteins as New Therapeutic Targets in Diabetes" seeks to unravel how various organs communicate in the context of type 2 diabetes.

"How does muscle talk to fat? How does the intestine talk to the brain? I believe that unraveling the intricate network of communication between organs is key to understanding and treating diabetes," said Droujinine. With ADA's support, he aims to identify secreted mediators that drive interorgan dialogue, which could unveil new therapeutic pathways for managing diabetes.

2. Rachel Goode, PhD, MPH, MSW, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Goode received a grant for her project, "Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Black Adult Women At-Risk for Binge-Eating Disorder." This initiative focuses on designing a tailored program to combat binge-eating behaviors among young Black women, a demographic that is persistently underserved in diabetes prevention efforts.

"I'm excited to advance the science of diabetes prevention in young adults, who are seeing alarming diabetes rates based on their eating behaviors. The support from this grant allows me to create meaningful interventions to aid this population, helping them tackle potential diabetes risks early on," expressed Dr. Goode.

3. Daniel “Dan” Seung Kim, MD, PhD, MPH, Stanford University

Dr. Kim's research focuses on enhancing glycemic control through increased physical activity using a smartphone app called My Heart Counts. His project aims to integrate a trained language model to personalize coaching messages in a digital environment.

"My goal is to create an 'exercise coach on the smartphone' that can adapt to individual preferences and activity levels, ultimately working to mitigate the serious health impacts of diabetes through improved physical activity," said Kim.

4. David Merrick, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Merrick's innovative project, "Optogenetic Stimulation of Thermogenic Adipose as a Novel Cell Therapy for Obesity and Metabolic Disease," aims to address gaps in current obesity treatments by increasing energy expenditure through a novel form of cell therapy.

"While current treatments primarily focus on reducing caloric intake, we need to find ways to boost energy expenditure as well. My research seeks to combine therapies for a more comprehensive approach to achieving sustainable weight loss and improved blood sugar control," remarked Merrick.

Impact of the Pathway Program

The Pathway to Stop Diabetes program exemplifies the ADA's commitment to advancing diabetes research and clinical practice. Currently, the organization manages a diverse portfolio with over 190 active research awards, including 51 new projects funded in 2024 alone. With initiatives like these, the ADA aims to tackle the diabetes epidemic affecting approximately 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes.

For more information about current research findings and ongoing studies funded by the ADA, refer to the ADA's latest 2024 Research Report. Join the ADA in their fight against diabetes for a healthier future for all.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is a prominent health organization working tirelessly to end diabetes and support individuals affected by it. Through dedicated advocacy, education, and groundbreaking research, they have been making strides for 84 years towards improving diabetes management and treatment. If you wish to learn more about how to contribute or get involved, visit their official website at diabetes.org or reach out at 1-800-DIABETES.