VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Mark Atkinson

Real Stories About Real People

There's No Greater Gift for Motivation than Hope   

Mark A. Atkinson, PhD, is an Eminent Scholar for Diabetes Research at The University of Florida in Gainesville. He focuses on the causes of type 1 diabetes and finding a cure.  The project he is currently working on is “Mechanisms and Characterization of Regulatory T Cell Defects in Human Type 1 Diabetes.” He is particularly thankful for his American Diabetes Association award which brings funding to an area that may have seen difficulty via traditional means.  Furthermore, he remarked, “I would not be where I am today in terms of a professional career…nor would I have made the scientific contributions that I have provided, without the ADA.  With this award, I see ADA as an organization willing to take a chance to identify the immune basis for why type 1 diabetes develops, in humans.”

Atkinson firmly believes that a cure for type 1 diabetes will require an in-depth and sound understanding of the role for the immune response in the development of this disease.  His goal, in terms of this project, is to see this knowledge void overcome.  The photo above was taken with a patient in the pediatric exam office at the University of Florida.  Tory Asfahani, ADA’s Associate Director of Research Programs, says, “Dr. Atkinson is not only a talented researcher, but an active ADA volunteer, having served on the National Board of Directors, the Scientific Sessions Planning Committee and, most recently, the Scientific Advisory Board for the ADA and Entelos, Inc. Type 1 Diabetes PhysioLab® platform.

“Nearly 25 years ago, my graduate school mentor, advised me that if I achieved three things in my professional career, I would do a good service to those with type 1 diabetes," stated Atkinson.  "First, he noted that I should identify a means to predict those who would develop type 1 diabetes.  Second, one needed to determine what causes type 1 diabetes.  Third, he suggested I find a means to prevent and reverse the disease.”  With this challenge, these three facets have, to a large extent, formed the foundation for Atkinson’s career in diabetes research.

His mother is from Tennessee and his father’s family emanated from the coal mines of Kentucky.  The family moved to Dearborn, Michigan, where he was born.  He grew up in extremely modest means.

He and his wife, Carol, have three children.  He also serves on medical missions with Christian based medical relief organizations.  Atkinson said, “Those who know me would also question my credibility if I did not mention I ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle.”  His parents had a strong influence on him to move into medicine to help others.  During his early graduate career, he spent time at summer camp for children with diabetes.  This whole experience moved him.  For the past 25 years, he claims he has been supported by three factors; God, family, and those affected with type 1 diabetes.

One of his most rewarding experiences from doing his research is being considered a “hero,” a moniker extended to him in many emails and letters.  For Atkinson, he does not consider himself worthy of the title, but sees the hopes and desires extended to it as priceless.  The challenge he faces during his research is the lack of time to spend with his family, hobbies, and “experiencing” life.  What keeps him going is the multitude of relationships developed over the years with people afflicted with type 1 diabetes and their family members.  He has dedicated his career to avoid seeing them repeatedly disappointed and thus, to bring them realistic hope.

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