Integrative Biology & Physiology
Medical School
Twin Cities
Award Year
2019
University Award
McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
Research Title
Fetal origins of health and disease: How the first nine months shape your whole life
No Monument Location
Type 2 diabetes is the most common chronic disease, but the search for causes and preventative treatment has largely failed. To prevent diabetes, Emilyn Alejandro’s team combines integrative approaches to study the novel role of nutrient-sensor proteins in the placenta and pancreas, to ultimately predict individuals who are at risk for diabetes and improve clinical interventions for existing patients. The team is shedding new light on the fetal origins of pancreatic- β-cell dysfunction, obesity and diabetes.