What is your professional background?
I received my undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and my MD from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. I moved to Chicago where I did my residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in endocrinology at Northwestern University. In between residency and fellowship,I was also a hospitalist. During my fellowship, I also completed a master’s degree in clinical research, which focused on research training for clinician investigators. After fellowship, I moved to Atlanta for a faculty position at Emory.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am an assistant professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids. All of my clinical and research efforts are at Grady Memorial Hospital. My primary mentor is Dr. Guillermo Umpierrez. Additionally, I am also mentored by Dr. Alicia Smith in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I have also been fortunate to have great colleagues who help make our division at Grady a great work and research environment.
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My main research focus is investigating the underlying mechanisms leading to changes in insulin secretion and sensitivity in patients with ketosis-prone diabetes. Patients with ketosis-prone diabetes are primarily African American and present with diabetic ketoacidosis at initial diagnosis of diabetes. Unlike patients with type 1 diabetes who are insulin dependent, with intensive insulin treatment, patients with ketosis-prone diabetes achieve remission from insulin due to improvements in insulin secretion and sensitivity. We also found that patients who achieve remission are a heterogeneous group. My research examines the underlying gene expression and epigenetics changes leading to changes that allow for and sustain remission.
What do you like most about Emory?
I like the collaborative and collegiate environment at Emory.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I try to take advantage of the nice weather (no more polar vortex). I enjoy walking on the beltline, listening to live music, and hiking in the Georgia mountains.
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