About DRC

UCSD-UCLA Diabetes Research Center (DRC)

Our overall mission is to foster research in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and metabolic diseases and their complications, and to improve lives of patients suffering from these devastating disorders.  We not only integrate research activities across the two universities and related institutions, but also serve as a hub for other research enterprises in the Southern California area and beyond. The DRC strives to coordinate the diabetes research efforts, and to promote cross-disciplinary collaborations and generate new diabetes-related programs by expanding opportunities for regional interactions and scientific exchange. We provide both formal and informal mentorship for young investigators and promote the translation of basic laboratory insights into advances in the clinic, leading to new strategies for the prevention or treatment of these devastating disorders.  Together, the participating institutions constitute an unprecedented wealth of diabetes and metabolic research expertise and experience. This collaborative, multi-institutional effort has been in existence for the last 22 years and has proven to be an important force in advancing the diabetes research agenda in our region and beyond. We coordinate training programs, identify and support the brightest young scientists, offer retreats and numerous seminar series, sponsor endowed lectureships, and operate cutting edge cores that provide crucial services to over 150 faculty and their laboratories.

From the Director

Welcome to the UCSD-UCLA Diabetes Research Center!

Advances in biomedical research require coordination and collaboration among talented investigators with different perspectives and skills who have a common focus on biological problems. For the past 22 years, the UCSD-UCLA DRC has linked together the diabetes and metabolism research activities of two major universities within the UC system, as well as outstanding neighboring research institutes in Southern California. Our networked organization has fostered new collaborations and interactions between a group of dedicated scientists within and across these institutions. The DRC advances scientific and intellectual interactions by organizing and facilitating monthly meetings and lectures, mentoring young scientists through support of our Pilot Grants and Enrichment Programs, accelerating diabetes research by providing state-of-the-art services through five cutting-edge Biomedical Cores, and accelerating translational research activity and collaborations through interactions with the Clinical and Translational Science Award programs at each institution. We welcome you to explore our website and learn more about the exciting work underway in the UCSD-UCLA Diabetes Research Center.

Alan Saltiel, PhD
DRC Director