Jessie Barra, PhD, Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Florida, Diabetes Institute

• Barra’s research, Immune Modeling and Intervention in Type 1 Diabetes Using Engineered Stem Cell-Derived β-Cells, aims to create a human model system— integrating genome engineering, stem cell biology, and human immunology, to create a platform to guide the development of next-generation immune-protective stem cell-derived beta cells.
• "Receiving the Pathway to Stop Diabetes Award is a pivotal moment for the establishment of my independent research program. This support enables me to pursue high-risk, mechanistic studies to define how human autoreactive immune cells recognize and destroy pancreatic beta cells and to translate those insights into strategies that promote durable immune protection of beta cell replacement therapies. By providing the freedom to integrate complex human immunology, stem cell biology, and genetic engineering to create innovative human model systems, this ADA award will enable me to address fundamental barriers to long-term beta cell graft survival in type 1 diabetes. Ultimately, the work supported by this ADA award aims to bring us closer to lasting, life-changing therapies for people living with type 1 diabetes."