My laboratory is focused on understanding factors that regulate pancreatic islet β-cell function and survival.

My research interests focus on understanding factors that regulate pancreatic islet beta-cell function and survival. My recent studies have provided novel insight into the biological significance of VGF (non-acronymic, unrelated to VEGF) hormone derived peptides produced within islet β-cells. As a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Chris Newgard I identified the VGF derived peptide TLQP-21 as a physiological mediator of insulin secretion and demonstrated its direct therapeutic applicability in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in a rodent model. Continuing this work as a Research Associate with Dr. Newgard, we have strong evidence that additional VGF peptides play vital roles in regulating beta-cell identity and function.

Identified VGF-derived peptides as novel mediators of islet beta-cell function and survival. Demonstrated that the C-terminal VGF peptide, TLQP-21 potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated rat and human islets, improves glucose tolerance in Wistar rats, protects isolated islets from apoptosis via PKA, PI3K, and IGF-1R signaling, and chronic TLQP-21 administration delays the onset of overt diabetes in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats.

My formal research training began as a research assistant at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (Univ. of Georgia) in the laboratory of Dr. Bradley Reuhs, My studies focused on understanding the interactions between nitrogen fixing bacteria and leguminous plants using biochemical isolation techniques, chromatography, and structural methodologies (GC/MS, 1H-NMR).