Our Research Members

Khosrow Adeli
Adeli, Khosrow
PhD, FCACB, DABCC, FACB
U Of T Appointments

Professor, Department of Biochemistry; and Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology

Other Appointments

Division Head, Clinical Biochemistry, The Hospital For Sick Children

Contact Information
The Hospital For Sick Children
555 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 1X8
Phone: 416-813-8682
Fax: 416-813-6257
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Lipid and Lipoprotein Disorders in Insulin Resistant States, Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes; Incretin Regulation of Intestinal Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism. Current areas of interest and active research in our laboratory include: Mechanistic studies of the link between diabetes and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease; Mechanisms of metabolic dyslipidemia in insulin resistant states; Regulation of Intestinal Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism by Gut Peptides; GLP-1 and GLP-2 signaling in the intesteine; Molecular biology of atherogenic lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B and involvement in the development of atherosclerosis; Mechanistic links between childhood obesity, insulin resistance, and the risk of development of premature atherosclerosis; mechanisms of action of hypolipidemic drugs at the cellular and molecular level.

Andrew Advani
Advani, Andrew
BSc, MBChB(Hons), PhD, FRCP(UK)
U Of T Appointments

Associate Professor and Clinician Scientist, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Other Appointments

Staff Physician, Unity Health Toronto – St. Michael’s Hospital

Contact Information
St. Michael's Hospital
61 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 2T2
Phone: 416-864-6060 x8413
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Despite current treatments, people with diabetes continue to be affected by the long-term consequences of the disease. These long-term consequences are called complications and they include eye disease, kidney disease, nerve disease and heart disease. Kidney disease due to diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure requiring treatment with dialysis or kidney transplantation and people with kidney disease are much more likely to also suffer from heart disease. Our research program is focused on the discovery and development of new treatments for kidney disease and heart failure, especially kidney disease or heart failure caused by diabetes; and on improving the lives of people living with Type 1 diabetes today. To help us achieve these goals we have three research strands:
1) Understanding the roles that epigenetic processes play in kidney disease and heart failure. 2) Repurposing existing therapies and exploration of the glucose-independent effects of diabetes treatments. 3) Learning about the experiences of young adults living with Type 1 diabetes.

Mahavir Agarwal
Agarwal, Mahavir
MBBS, MD, PhD
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry

Other Appointments

Staff Psychiatrist and Clinician Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Contact Information
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
250 College St.
Toronto, ON M5T 1R8
Phone: 416-535-8501
Fax: 416-979-4292
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Dr. Mahavir Agarwal is a psychiatrist by training who joined the University of Toronto Faculty in the spring of 2019. He is staff psychiatrist and Clinician-Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) where he runs the Mental Health and Metabolism Clinic and the Clozapine Clinic in the Schizophrenia Division. His research interests lie in understanding the pathophysiology of metabolic and cognitive disturbances observed in schizophrenia, especially the severely elevated risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes observed in this population and the cognitive worsening that results from poor metabolic health. He is focusing on the role of insulin resistance in the brain in determining cognition and metabolic risk. To this end, he employs a multi-disciplinary approach to studying metabolic and cognitive outcomes using multi-modality neuroimaging, measures of cognitive functioning, and glucose metabolism (i.e. euglycemic pancreatic clamps and the oral glucose tolerance test).

Johane Allard
Allard, Johane
MD, FRCP
U Of T Appointments

Professor, Departments of Medicine and Nutritional Sciences

Contact Information
Toronto General Hospital
585 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 2C4
Phone: 416-340-5159
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Dr Johane Allard is a Gastroenterologist and a Professor of Medicine, cross-appointed to the Department of Nutritional Sciences, the Institute of Medical Sciences and the School of Graduated Studies of the University of Toronto. She is a Senior Scientist at the Toronto General Research Institute. Her research interest is nutrition related to obesity, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), malnutrition and nutrition support. She conducted previous studies on dietary intakes, gene expression, fatty acid composition, micronutrients and oxidative stress. More recently, she focused on NAFLD. 

Her group was the first to describe altered intestinal microbiota in patients with biopsy proven NASH compared to healthy controls. Following up on these findings, Dr. Allard with the bariatric surgery team at the University Health Network was awarded a CIHR operating grant examining the “Role of intestinal microbiota in NAFLD pre and post bariatric surgery.” Initial analysis showed that those with NASH had higher liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and presence of diabetes compared to those with a normal liver. Additionally, with bariatric surgery, there was a significant improvement in liver histology, biochemical, and clinical parameters but about 19% of patients had persisting NAFLD despite similar weight loss. These patients had less improvement in waist circumference and glycemic control. Studies on the intestinal microbiota and metabolites are pending.

Dr Allard is also the principal investigator of a CIHR team grant with Dr Gaisano as co-PI. She is heading a group of clinical/translational researchers and basic scientists, aiming at “Exploiting the therapeutic effects of the fecal microbiome in bariatric care”. The goals of the team grant are:

  1. To track the changes in the intestinal microbiome in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and determine the relationship with improvement in insulin resistance, diabetes, and weight loss.
  2. To test the effect of fecal microbiota transplant of lean donors into morbidly obese patients on insulin resistance, body weight and NAFLD.
  3. To determine if fecal microbiota transplant from morbidly obese patients post-bariatric surgery can improve the in vivo parameters of insulin resistance, glucose-induced insulin synthesis, and obesity/weight loss in germ-free mice. The objective is to determine the specific candidate microbial species or genes in the mice that account for these beneficial effects.
G. Harvey Anderson
Anderson, G. Harvey
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Director, NSERC Program in Food Safety, Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs
Professor, Nutritional Sciences and Physiology

Contact Information
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
1 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Phone: 416-978-1832
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Our laboratory performs both animal and human (all age groups) experiments. The main focus of research in my lab includes food intake regulation and glycemia; carbohydrates, sweeteners, appetite and health; proteins, amino acids and food intake; dietary control of peptide hormone and neurotransmitter metabolism; and food composition, dietary status and chronic disease. My laboratory is committed to elucidating the dietary determinants and mechanisms of glycemic control and food intake. Recent study topics include: (1) investigating the effect of milk products and novel milk products on metabolic control (glycemia and gut hormones), satiety and food intake, (2) the effect of pulses and pulse ingredients on glycemic response, subjective appetite, food intake and gut hormones, and (3) investigating the effects of high vitamin intake during pregnancy on neurotransmitter gene expression and their relationship with fat mass and insulin resistance in the Wistar rat offspring at birth, at weaning and beyond.

Liliana Attisano
Attisano, Liliana
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Biochemistry

Contact Information
Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research
160 College Street
Toronto, ON M5S 3E1
Phone: 416-946-3129
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

My research is focused on understanding how morphogen signalling pathways control developmental processes, including the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into diverse tissues.  Stem cell-based therapies for a variety of disorders are being explored including the use of beta cells as a cell replacement therapy for diabetics.  Protocols to produce pancreatic beta cells from human pluripotent stem cells have been established, but these beta cells are fetal-like and immature, requiring long term (months) in vivo implantation to acquire a more adult phenotype. Several studies indicate that the vascular niche is critical in this maturation process. We recently developed a proprietary microfluidic device that enables the in vitro production of perfusable vasculature.   We are currently exploring whether and how introduction of islet specific vasculature can enhance the efficient production of stem cell derived beta cells and promote their survival, function and maturation.

Robert Bandsma
Bandsma, Robert
MD, PhD
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Other Appointments

Staff Gastroenterologist, The Hospital for Sick Children

Contact Information
The Hospital For Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre For Research and Learning
686 Bay St.
Toronto, ON M5G 0A4
Phone: 416-813-9057
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

My research focuses on pancreatic function and insulin sensitivity in malnutrition.

I created an animal model of malnutrition and we are studying the acute and long-term effect of malnutrition on pancreatic function and insulin action. We also have performed and are currently doing clinic studies in low resource countries.

Ananya Banerjee
Banerjee, Ananya
R.Kin, PhD
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences (division cross appointment in Clinical Public Health)
Assistant Professor (non-budget cross-appointment), Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education

Other Appointments

Research Fellow, Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES)

Contact Information
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Health Sciences Building
155 College St.
Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7
Phone: 416-978-6873
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

My program of research develops and evaluates community-based prevention programming for South Asian adults and adolescents living in Canada at risk for diabetes using mixed-methods designs from a socio-ecological perspective. A current project I am leading is the South Asian Adolescent Diabetes Awareness Program (SAADAP) funded by the Child and Youth Diabetes Strategy Fund by the Lawson Foundation. I am also a present fellow at the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) examining variation in the prevalence of diabetes across immigrants from the South Asian Diaspora in Ontario.

Richard P. Bazinet
Bazinet, Richard P.
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences

Contact Information
University of Toronto
FitzGerald Building
150 College St.
Toronto, ON M5S 3E2
Phone: 416-946-8276
Fax: 416-978-5882
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

1) Regulation of tissue uptake and metabolism/signaling properties of fatty acids, especially within the brain.2) Genetic and dietary regulation of plasma fatty acid concentrations.

Jacqueline Beaudry
Beaudry, Jacqueline
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences

Contact Information
University of Toronto, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Medical Sciences Building
1 King's College Circle
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Phone: 416-978-6527
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

My research program examines how individuals balance energy homeostasis in conditions of excess dietary fat and elevated hormones and how abnormalities in these processes can lead to obesity and chronic disease development such as Type 2 Diabetes. More specifically, my research focuses on the immense functional role of stress (glucocorticoids), gut and pancreatic hormones in adipose tissue metabolism, and other peripheral tissues. I utilize cell culture and whole animal models to tease apart the molecular and cellular regulators of energy expenditure to better understand how they govern body weight, and glucose homeostasis.

Denise Belsham
Belsham, Denise
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Professor, Departments of Physiology, Medicine, and Obstetrics/Gynecology

Contact Information
University of Toronto
Medical Sciences Building
1 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Phone: 416-946-7646
Fax: 416-978-4940
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Obesity is a major global health concern and is a major risk factor for other disorders, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. A complex neuronal system has evolved to maintain energy homeostasis, and also glucose homeostasis. Leptin, ghrelin, glucose, glucagon-like peptides, and insulin are known peripheral signals that act to regulate feeding and energy balance by modulating the expression of neuropeptides in the brain, specifically the hypothalamus. The afferent hormones leptin and insulin have common physiological responses and intracellular signaling mechanisms, but insulin resistance and leptin resistance are major metabolic problems, sometimes leading to type 2 diabetes. We have a strong track record of neuroendocrine research, focussing on molecular and cellular biology using hypothalamic neuronal cell models. Our research program includes studies of the regulation and signalling mechanisms in many of the neuropeptide-expressing neurons involved in energy homeostasis, and the molecular/cellular events leading to leptin/insulin resistance. Importantly, there is also a direct relationship between nutritional status and reproduction, another long-term interest of my laboratory, therefore my research program is poised to utilize all the information gained from our work to provide insight into the complex nature of integrated neuroendocrine control of basic physiology.

Michelle P. Bendeck
Bendeck, Michelle P.
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Other Appointments

Scientist Translational Biology and Engineering Program (TBEP), Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research

Contact Information
Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research
Translational Biology and Engineering Program
661 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 1M1
Phone: 416-946-7133
Fax: 416-978-5959
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

The main focus of research in my lab is on atherosclerosis and specifically on interactions between cells and extracellular matrix during vascular remodeling. We are investigating mechanisms of vessel wall thickening and remodeling using experimental models of arterial injury in mouse, rat and rabbit, studying the role of extracellular matrix, cell-surface integrin receptors, the novel discoidin-domain receptors and MMPs in mediating SMC responses. In collaboration with Dr. Adria Giacca, we are studying the effect of high glucose and insulin on SMC growth and matrix remodeling in atherosclerosis.

Mamatha Bhat
Bhat, Mamatha
MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC (she/her)
U Of T Appointments

Associate Professor, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Director, Clinician-Scientist Training Program (CSTP), Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Faculty Affiliate, Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Other Appointments

Hepatologist & Co-Lead of Transplant AI initiative (TAI), Ajmera Transplant Program
Scientist, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network

Contact Information
University Health Network
Peter Munk Building
585 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 2N2
Phone: 416-340-4800
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

I am a transplant hepatologist and clinician-scientist using a systems biology approach to studying metabolic complications post-liver transplant. Post-transplant Diabetes Mellitus (PTDM) has been shown to significantly compromise long-term transplant patient survival in around 25% of patients. However, its pathogenesis is poorly understood with need of further investigation to implement precisely designed preventive and therapeutic strategies. My research program uses a combination of Systems Biology and Machine learning approaches to layers of data from patient samples, using in vitro and in vivo models for validation. Using this unique approach, we hope to understand and develop more precise strategies to optimize the prevention and management of PTDM in our liver transplant recipients, thereby improving their long-term survival.

Gillian L. Booth
Booth, Gillian L.
MD, FRCPC
U Of T Appointments

Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism; and Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation

Contact Information
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
209 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1T8
Phone: 416-864-6060 x77448
Fax: 416-864-3025
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

My research focuses on health outcomes and quality of care related to diabetes. Specific interests include: 1) how neighbourhood characteristics (e.g. community design, the food environment) contribute to the prevalence of obesity and diabetes; 2) gender, socioeconomic, and regional differences in diabetes outcomes; 3) health care strategies to improve the quality of diabetes care and 4) the application of geographic analytic tools to health care planning. Much of this work is done using linkage of large secondary databases including provincial administrative health care data, population-based surveys and census, retail and other environmental data sources. Students and research fellows use epidemiological and health services research methods to study diabetes and its outcomes at a population-level.

Patricia L. Brubaker
Brubaker, Patricia L.
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Professor Emerita, Departments of Physiology and Medicine

Contact Information
University of Toronto
1 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Phone: 416-978-2593
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Although the laboratory is now closed, the major interests of the Brubaker laboratory were related to the synthesis, secretion and biological activities of gut hormones and, in particular, the intestinal glucagon-like peptides, GLP-1 and GLP-2. These hormones play important roles in the regulation insulin and glucagon secretion, beta cell proliferation, intestinal growth and function, and food intake. GLP-1 mimetics are currently in use for the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes, while a long-acting GLP-2 analog has recently been approved for the treatment of patients with intestinal insufficiency due to short bowel. Some of the areas that were under investigation in the lab included:

  1. Regulation of GLP-1 and GLP-2 synthesis and secretion by the intestine, with particular focus on dietary nutrients and intracellular signalling pathways; and
  2. Mechanisms of action of GLP-1 and GLP-2 to stimulate beta cell and intestinal growth, respectively, with a major emphasis on the roles of novel intra- and extracellular mediators of these effects, as well as possible carcinogenic effects.

Students and fellows utilized a wide-variety of approaches to investigate the physiology and pathophysiology of the glucagon-like peptides, including normal and genetically-modified animals, cell culture and imaging approaches, in combination with tissue and cellular analyses at the mRNA and protein level.

Joseph Cafazzo
Cafazzo, Joseph
PhD, PEng
U Of T Appointments

Associate Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Associate Professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Other Appointments
  • Executive Director, Medical Engineering, University Health Network
  • Executive Director, Healthcare Human Factors and Centre, University Health Network
  • Executive Director, Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, University Health Network
  • Inaugural Chairholder, Wolfond Chair in Digital Health
  • Clinical Lead, Design and Engineering for Health, Techna Institute, University Health Network
Contact Information
University Health Network
R. Fraser Elliott Building
190 Elizabeth Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2C4
Phone: 416-340-3634
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Dr. Cafazzo leads the development of technologies as a way to keep people out of hospital by allowing for self-care at home for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, end-stage renal disease and congestive heart failure.

These strategies are aimed at helping people before their conditions become acute and medical intervention is required. The emphasis here is improving patient self-efficacy.

One such solution is bant. Designed for adolescents with Type I diabities, bant simplifies diabetes management by connecting to a glucometer via Bluetooth. It also connects teens in a secure community of peers and helps them self-manage by rewarding positive behaviour every time they use their glucometer.

Peter Carlen
Carlen, Peter
MD, FRCPC
U Of T Appointments

Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology
Professor, Departments of Physiology, and IBBME

Other Appointments

Senior Scientist, Toronto Western Research Institute

Contact Information
Toronto Western Hospital, UHN
Krembil Research Institute
60 Leonard Ave.
Toronto, ON M5T 0S8
Phone: 416-603-5017
Fax: 416-603-5768
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Main interests are mechanisms of neural synchrony and entrainment (epilepsy), hypoglycemic seizures, and neurodegenerative processes.
A) We have several projects on cellular mechanisms and local system dynamics of epilepsy, particularly the biophysics of the transition to seizure, and the role of electrotonic coupling via gap junctions. Molecular biological and cellular electrophysiological techniques are being used to measure the upregulation of gap junctions in several in vitro and in vivo seizure models.
B) Hypoglycemic seizures are a major problem in juveniles with diabetes. We are studying the pathophysiology of hypoglycaemic seizures in juvenile animals both in vitro and in vivo, noting that the most severe seizures seem to be associated with mainly subcortical seizure-like EEG activity, which could also be related to the ‘dead in bed’ or sudden unexplained death sometimes noted with juvenile hypoglycemic events. Also we are examining the pathophysiology of neuronal injury which is enhanced by glucose reperfusion. Glucose reperfusion is also associated with a significant upregulation of gap junctional expression, the significance of which remains to be elucidated. However is is known that provision of nutrients to neurons requires intact astrocytic gap junctional communication.

David Cherney
Cherney, David
MD, PhD, FRCPC
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology

Other Appointments

Clinician Scientist, University Health Network

Contact Information
University Health Network
585 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 2N2
Phone: 416-340-4151
Fax: 416-340-4999
[email protected]
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Current research interests in type 1 diabetes mellitus include the physiology of renal hyperfiltration in diabetic nephropathy, cardiorenal interactions and endothelial function, the effect of pharmaceutical agents on the urinary proteome, and functional gene polymorphisms in humans.

Laura Chiavaroli
Chiavaroli, Laura
MSc, PhD
U Of T Appointments

Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences

Other Appointments

Affiliate Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital

Contact Information
University of Toronto
Medical Sciences Building, 5th Floor, Room 5334
1 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Phone: 416-826-8983
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

The overall theme of my research program is to enhance and support translation of Canadian diabetes and cardiovascular guidelines on nutrition therapy to reduce the risks of these diseases in all Canadians. I test the broadscale application of our recommended dietary patterns by designing digital adherence tools, while also challenging policy themes meant to support public adherence and exploring improvements to methodologies used in study designs to improve efficiency and the application of sex and gender-based analyses. A main research focus is on developing and testing strategies and tools using mobile health (mHealth) technologies to increase uptake of recognized dietary patterns to mitigate diabetes and CVD risk with implementation in clinical practice to show the impact of improving health service delivery. Pragmatic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are used to explore the effect of collaboratively designed translational tools and changes to health service delivery, with adaptive design built-in based on user feedback to optimize delivery of effective and ready-to-use tools and strategies for broader implementation.

I am currently leading a CIHR-funded pragmatic trial of our Portfolio Diet Program (PortfolioDiet.app with integrated text messages and behaviour change curriculum) in 1,100 secondary and high-risk primary prevention adults (50% diabetes) in primary care. The primary outcome at 1-year is proportion achieving a ≥8% reduction in LDL-C or non-HDL-C (lower limit of efficacy of drugs as add-on therapy) and major adverse cardiovascular event at 7-year. Another project underway is an assessment of the Portfolio Diet Program for knowledge translation and mobilization in high-risk communities in the Peel region for the prevention and management of diabetes. My particular interest in mHealth and exploring drivers of adherence and sustainable behaviour change will optimize impact and application across communities with an inclusive lens to guide future policy to improve the diabetes and cardiovascular health of all Canadians.

Elena M. Comelli
Comelli, Elena M.
PhD
U Of T Appointments

Associate Professor and the Lawson Family Chair in Microbiome Nutrition Research, Department of Nutritional Sciences

Contact Information
Department of Nutritional Sciences
Medical Sciences Building
1 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Phone: 416-978-6284
[email protected]
View website
Diabetes Related Research Activities:

Research in my lab focuses on the relationship between diet, gut microbiota and health. We have been focusing on the establishment of the intestinal barrier and the role played by the gut microbiota in its regulation, at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene expression level. Building on recent findings linking gut microbiota, intestinal barrier and the metabolic syndrome, we are now expanding our research to understand how the establishment of the gut microbiota in early life may be linked to developing this condition in later life.

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