DOM Researcher Spotlight: Michael Hughes, MD | Assistant Professor, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids

What is your professional background?
I completed my MD and internal medicine residency in Houston at the University of Texas-Houston and Baylor, respectively. I then moved to California for my endocrinology fellowship at Stanford, where I became involved in diabetes device and technology research. After the fellowship, I stayed on as an endocrinologist and instructor, focusing on diabetes devices in clinical trials and in broadened applications, particularly in the inpatient setting. I am excited to have just joined the faculty here at Emory in the Endocrine division this past month and look forward to continuing work in diabetes technology here.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
Managing insulin in diabetes is a significant challenge for both patients and their providers. Over the past decade, automated insulin delivery (AID) systems (insulin pumps integrated with continuous glucose monitors) have transformed insulin management, particularly in type 1 diabetes. However, these systems still have quite a few limitations and are only accessible to a narrow subset of users. My focus is on improving the personalization of AID systems and expanding their use to more individuals who require insulin. For example, my K23 award through the NIDDK examines the real-world use of these systems in the hospital setting, with the goal of optimizing their implementation and potentially developing systems tailored specifically for inpatient care. I am also particularly interested in leveraging AID technology to support insulin management during pregnancy and in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The hope is that insulin therapy can become safer, more effective, and less burdensome for all who rely on it.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
The Dune series has been one of my favorite books for a long time. The recent films were just completely spot-on, and I’m excited for the next one.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to hang out with my family and friends, eat, take long walks, and play drums.

What is a fun fact about you?
Once upon a time, I was a music major and participated in Drum Corps.