Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award
The Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award is given in memory of Lois Jovanovic, MD, a renowned scientist in the field of diabetes and women’s health who passed away in September 2018. Dr. Jovanovic, who lived with type 1 diabetes herself, drove research that improved neonatal outcomes for other women affected by the disease, and was an iconic woman scientist in the field. Presented by the Women’s Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association (WIN ADA), the Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award recognizes a woman scientist, clinician, educator, or other female professional who has made a significant impact in the field of diabetes and/or in the lives of people affected by the disease.
Nominations are now being accepted until September 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award Eligibility Criteria:
- Principal criteria: To recognize a female professional in the diabetes field who has made outstanding contributions to diabetes research, clinical practice, diabetes education, public health, and/or other related disciplines.
- Nominees will be recognized for national and/or international contributions to the field of diabetes. Both U.S. and non-U.S. residents are eligible.
- There are no specific degree requirements.
- Nominees’ contributions to the ADA and to the broader diabetes community may also be taken into consideration.
- Nominees may not be current ADA national officers or have held a national officer position within the past three years.
- Nominees may not be current members of the WIN ADA Advisory Group or serve on the ADA’s Medicine, Science, & Healthcare Awards Committee.
- Nominee must be an active professional member of the American Diabetes Association.
2026 Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award Winner
Lori Sussel, PhD, is the recipient of the 2026 Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award. This award recognizes a woman who has made a significant impact in diabetes care, research, education, or public health. Dr. Sussel will give remarks at the Women’s Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association (WIN ADA) reception on Friday, June 5th, 2026 at the 2026 Scientific Sessions.
Dr. Lori Sussel is a Professor of Pediatrics and Cell & Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. She also serves as the Research Director of the Barbara Davis Diabetes Center (BDC) and Director of the NIH-funded University of Colorado Diabetes Research Center. Research in the Sussel lab is focused on understanding how transcription factors, RNA processing and RNA molecules regulate pancreatic islet development and function; these studies helped provide the foundation for the differentiation of insulin-producing beta cells from human ES cells. She has also identified the importance of maintaining beta-cell maturation and identity in the adult during physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Overall, Dr. Sussel’s research has contributed to the understanding of the development and function of pancreatic islet cells, as well as how alpha and beta cells become dysfunctional in diabetes.
Please join us in celebrating Lori Sussel, PhD, for her significant contributions to diabetes care, research, education, and public health.
WIN ADA Abstract Awards
We are excited to highlight a select group of abstracts that have been chosen for recognition at the 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.
Basic Science: Islet Biology, Immunology, Physiology, or Obesity
3114-LB: Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Regulates Beta-Cell Insulin Secretion via Piezo1-Mediated Changes in Mitochondrial Function
CHELSEA JOHANSEN, NIKKI L. FARNSWORTH, Golden, CO
Behavioral Medicine, Nutrition, Exercise, and Education
1211-OR: ADA Presidents' Select Abstract: Impaired Metabolic Flexibility in Type 1 Diabetes May Be Offset by Greater Physical Activity
DARIA IGUDESMAN, AUDREY COLLINS, DESSI ZAHARIEVA, MERYEM TALBO, ANIKA BILAL, ANNA CASU, KAREN CORBIN, DAVID MAAHS, RICHARD PRATLEY, ELVIS ALVAREZ CARNERO, Orlando, FL, Palo Alto, CA
Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications
1217-OR: ApoC3 Inhibitor Olezarsen Markedly Reduces Triglycerides and Risk of Pancreatitis in Severe Hypertriglyceridemia Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Insights from CORE-TIMI 72a and CORE2-TIMI 72b
YU MI KANG, BRIAN BERGMARK, VERONICA (VICKIE) J. ALEXANDER, THOMAS A. PROHASKA, XINHUI RAN, SABINA MURPHY, ERICA L. GOODRICH, FILIPE MOURA, ANDRE ZIMERMAN, ELAINE WALDMAN, JULIA WEINLAND, SHUANGLU ZHANG, SHUTING XIA, DAN LI, SOTIRIOS TSIMIKAS, ROBERT P. GIUGLIANO, MARC S. SABATINE, NICHOLAS MARSTON, Boston, MA, New Haven, CT, Porto Alegre, Brazil, Carlsbad, CA, San Diego, CA
Sex as a Biological Variable
3113-LB: Loss of ß-Cell Heterogeneity due to Glucolipotoxicity-Induced Metabolic Stress
ANNE GRESCH, THAIS GAIA PEDRAZA, RICHARD K. BENNINGER, Aurora, CO
Past Award Recipients
2025:
- Jill Weissberg-Benchell, PhD, CDCES (Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award)
- Liyi Wang, PhD (Basic Science: Islet Biology, Immunology, Physiology, or Obesity
- Holly J. Willis, PhD, RDN, CDCES (Behavioral Medicine, Nutrition, Exercise, and Education)
- Yi Wang, M.B.B.S., PhD (Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications)
- Yilin Yoshida, PhD, MPH, Fellow of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (Sex as a Biological Variable)
2024:
- Francine R. Kaufman, MD (Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award)
- Natalie J. Haywood, PhD (Basic Science: Islet Biology, Immunology, Physiology, or Obesity
- Holly J. Willis, PhD, RDN, CDCES (Behavioral Medicine, Nutrition, Exercise, and Education)
- Yu Mi Kang, MD, PhD (Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications)
- Rachel G. Miller, PhD (Sex as a Biological Variable)
2022:
- Maureen Gannon, PhD (Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award)
- Alison Affinati, MD, PhD (Basic Science: Islet Biology, Immunology, Physiology, or Obesity)
- Rebecca Vitale, MD, MPH (Behavioral Medicine, Nutrition, Exercise, and Education)
- Elaine Chow, MBChB, PhD (Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetes Complications)
2021:
- Linda M. Siminerio, RN, PhD, CDCES (Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award)
- Nida Haider, PhD (Sex as a Biological Variable and Women's Health Abstract Award)
- Carmella Evans-Molina, PhD, MD (Basic Science: Islet Biology, Immunology, Physiology, or Obesity Abstract Award)
- Kimber Simmons, MD, MS (Clinical Diabetes, Epidemiology, and Diabetic Complications Abstract Award)
- Lu Hu, PhD (Behavioral Medicine, Nutrition, Education, and Exercise Abstract Award)
2020:
- Judith E. Fradkin, MD (Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award)
2019:
- Elizabeth R. Seaquist, MD (Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award)
- Danielle Dean, PhD (Basic Science Abstract Award)
- Samantha F. Ehrlich, PhD, MPH (Behavioral Medicine Abstract Award)
- Xiang Liu, PhD (Clinical Diabetes Abstract Award)
- Aki T-B. Chaffin, PhDc (Sex as a Biological Variable Abstract Award)
2018:
- Chelsea Hutch, PhD (Basic Science Abstract Award)
- Michelle Perfect, PhD (Behavioral Medicine Abstract Award)
- Maisa Feghali, MD (Clinical Diabetes Abstract Award)
- Durga Singer, MA, MD (Sex as Biological Variable Abstract Award)