News & Research

Read about the inspiring individuals who have been recognized for excellence and innovation in diabetes research.

Thomas R. Lee Award

The Thomas R. Lee Career Development Award recognizes excellence in diabetes research and is given to the American Diabetes Association’s Career Development Award recipient who receives the highest priority score on a grant application in a given fiscal year. This award signifies the Association’s belief that the recipient will continue to be a premier researcher who will have great impact in diabetes treatment, prevention, and in the search for a cure.

This award is fully funded by the Estate of Mr. Thomas R. Lee of Norfolk, Virginia who for most of his life was a successful land owner and property developer in and around his beloved hometown of Norfolk. Known by all for his skilled business sense, dedication to friends and tremendous kindness to others, he generously supported the causes for which he was most passionate. Inspired by his personal battle with diabetes, Mr. Lee dedicated a portion of his estate as a charitable donation to the American Diabetes Association upon his death.

The 2011 Thomas R. Lee Career Development recipient is Christoph Buettner, MD, PhD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. His work entitled, “Regulation of Innate Immunity by brain insulin”, proposes to examine Intensive insulin treatment or ITT and the anti-inflammatory actions utilized by the brain which could improve the care of critically ill patients.

Archive of Past Recipients

Gail Patrick Innovation Award

In honor of Gail Patrick, the first National Chair of the ADA Board of Directors and legendary Motion Picture actress, this award is granted to Innovation award applications to the ADA that receive the highest priority score (ADD in a given year). Prestigious awardees receive $50,000 per year for two years to support an innovative idea that advances the Association’s efforts to prevent, treat and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.

Paul Joseph DiMuzio, MD, from Thomas Jefferson University, has been named the winner of the 2011 Gail Patrick Innovation Award for his project, “A stem cell vascular graft.” The proposed project will examine the use of adult stem cells (ASC) from the patient’s own fat tissue as a way to find an alternative to vascular grafts. Vascular grafts are transplanted blood vessels used in surgery and its use will help patients with diabetes that can develop complications such as blocked heart arteries.

Archive of Past Recipients

National Scientific Achievement Awards

The Association bestows National Scientific Achievement Awards to exceptional leaders in the field of diabetes research, education, clinical care, mentorship and international service. For additional information on these honors that are awarded by the American Diabetes Association, please visit our National Scientific Achievement Awards page.