Congratulations 2020 Interest Group Award recipients!
Edwin Bierman Lecture Award
Rama Natarajan, PhD, FAHA, FASN, is the recipient of the 2020 Edwin Bierman Award. This award recognizes a leading scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the field of diabetes-related macrovascular complications and related risk factors.
Currently, Dr. Natarajan is Professor and Chair of the Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism at Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope in Duarte, CA. She is a renowned leader in the field of diabetes-related vascular complications and a pioneer in diabetes epigenetics who has made major contributions within these areas.
Dr. Natarajan has published over 200 articles in prestigious journals and received numerous awards. Her research on epigenetics and non-coding RNAs in diabetic vascular complications has been internationally recognized. She was among the first to demonstrate specific epigenetic changes (histone modifications and DNA methylation) and key noncoding RNAs that regulate inflammatory and fibrotic genes related to diabetic vasculopathy. Her remarkable studies also provided clinical evidence that persistent epigenetic changes are associated with the phenomenon of “metabolic memory” in which periods of prior hyperglycemia predispose people with diabetes to long-term vascular complications, despite subsequent glucose control. She also evaluates novel translational approaches for the treatment of diabetic complications.
Dr. Natarajan’s work has been continually funded for over 25 years by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She has served in leadership roles in the American Heart Association including Chair of the Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Committee and American Society of Nephrology, as well as on peer review and advisory committees for the NIH.
Please join us in celebrating Rama Natarajan, PhD, FAHA, FASN, for outstanding contributions to the understanding of diabetes-related macrovascular complications.
Norbert Freinkel Lecture Award
David Simmons, MA, MB, BS, FRACP, FRCP, MD (Cantab), is the recipient of the 2020 Norbert Freinkel Award, given in memory of Norbert Freinkel, a dedicated investigator and thought leader. This award honors a researcher who has made outstanding contributions to the understanding and treatment of diabetes in pregnancy.
Professor Simmons currently serves as Professor of Medicine at Western Sydney University, Macarthur Clinical School; Head of the Endocrinology Department at Campbelltown Hospital; and Director of the South Western Sydney Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Translational Research Unit.
The author of more than 330 publications, Professor Simmons is one of the most prolific researchers in the field of diabetes and pregnancy with major studies on the epidemiology, prevention, and management of diabetes in pregnancy. He was the DALI (Vitamin D and Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus [GDM] Prevention) Trial coordinator, a major pan-Europe randomized control trial to prevent GDM, and he leads the TOBOGM (Treatment of Booking Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) trial. He was a member of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups and World Health Organization groups developing the new GDM criteria.
Professor Simmons has served in various national and international leadership roles, including Past President of the Australasian Diabetes In Pregnancy Society. He has won several national and international awards and has been a mentor for many early career investigators in the field.
Please join us in celebrating Distinguished Professor David Simmons, MA, MB, BS, FRACP, FRCP, MD (Cantab), for outstanding contributions to the understanding and treatment of diabetes in pregnancy.
Roger Pecoraro Lecture Award
Lee J. Sanders, DPM, is the recipient of the 2020 Roger Pecoraro Award. This award recognizes a researcher who has made significant scientific contributions and demonstrates an untiring commitment to improving the understanding of the detection, treatment, and prevention of diabetic foot complications.
Dr. Sanders served as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, on the Orthopedic Service at the Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. Following discharge from the Air Force, he joined the surgical service of the VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA as Chief of Podiatry. He established an active research program at the VA as well as a formal post-doctoral training program for podiatry residents. He was a Clinical Professor (Adjunct), in the Department of Podiatric Medicine at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) in San Antonio established an endowed professorship in his name, “The Lee J. Sanders Professorship in Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention”, to support podiatric research and education in amputation prevention.
Dr. Sanders’ research focused on preventive diabetic foot care, the role of plantar pressure distribution measurement to identify risk for developing foot ulcers, the role of forefoot amputation in salvage of the diabetic limb, patterns of bone and joint destruction associated with Charcot neuroarthropathy, and interobserver agreement in diabetic foot risk stratification examination.
An internationally recognized researcher, medical historian and clinician, Dr. Sanders is a past Chair of the Foot Care Interest Group. He served on ADA’s National Board of Directors and Executive Committee and is a Past President of Health Care and Education. He is now retired.
Please join us in recognizing Lee J. Sanders, DPM, for his contributions and commitment to improving the understanding of detection, treatment, and prevention of diabetic foot complications.
Richard R. Rubin Lecture Award
Randi Streisand, PhD, is the recipient of the 2020 Richard R. Rubin Award. This award recognizes a scientist who has made outstanding, innovative contributions to the study and understanding of the behavioral aspects of diabetes.
Currently, Dr. Streisand is a tenured Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine and serves as Chief of the Division of Psychology & Behavioral Health at Children’s National Hospital. Additionally, she serves as Vice-Chair for the Institutional Review Board, and provides clinical services for families impacted by diabetes and other health conditions. She is also an active mentor and educator for trainees and early career faculty members regarding research and clinical service.
Throughout her career, Dr. Streisand has received multiple research and training grants, published approximately 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at national and international meetings. She has also been recognized for her mentorship and received awards from Children’s National as well as the Society of Pediatric Psychology. Dr. Streisand’s research is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and focuses on parent-child adjustment to diabetes, and behavioral interventions to promote adjustment, adherence, and glycemic control. Her research has included young children through teenagers, and she is currently evaluating the use of a parent coach program to support parents of young children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Streisand has served on several editorial boards for journals, serves as a grant reviewer for NIH, and has served in elected positions for professional organizations. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator.
Please join us in celebrating Randi Streisand, PhD, for her contributions in behavioral medicine and diabetes.