Our Research Members

Research in my laboratory at the University of Toronto is focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of diabetic nephropathy. In particular we study the role of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in diabetic nephropathy and the link between the RAS, obesity, and activation of NADPH oxidase. We utilize transgenic mice in our approach and have combined whole animal studies with cell culture experiments to define cellular mechanisms of injury. We are currently studying mice with deletions in the genes for ACE2, p47, and adiponectin. Our laboratory also collaborates with investigators in the Human Physiology Laboratory at the University Health Network, Mount SinaiHospital, and the Hospital for Sick Children on studies of kidney function and urine proteomics in humans with diabetic nephropathy.

My lab is interested in understanding how human cells respond to extracellular cues to maintain and ensure their function and survival. One central focus is to study how the pancreatic beta cell converts feeding cues into signals leading to insulin production and secretion. We use high-throughput functional screens to identify novel players involved in different cell-signaling pathways, including human pancreatic beta cell proliferation and those involved in the maintenance of mitochondria, critical subcellular organelles essential for cell function and survival. In addition to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, our work impacts upon cancer and neurodegeneration.

Biomaterials and tissue engineering. Delivery of islets and pseudo-islets into vascularized, subcutaneous tissue, including microencapsulation and immune modulation using dendritic cells.

My research focus is on the quality of and outcomes of diabetes care. Much of this work is done using linkage of large health care administrative data bases. My three main areas of interest are: a) the influence of different care models on diabetes quality and outcomes, b) gestational diabetes care and outcomes, and c) diabetes in vulnerable populations, including ethnic, immigrant and indigenous communities.

Dr. Shulman’s research program is focused on developing and evaluating health services interventions to improve the health and quality of care for youth living with diabetes. Areas of focus include transition to adult care, preventing DKA at diabetes diagnosis, and reducing socioeconomic disparities in care and outcomes. She is particularly interested in developing and evaluating interventions that leverage existing population-level administrative datasets to inform health system change. Currently, an ongoing multi-site study, KiT (Keeping in Touch), has developed and is testing a text message-based algorithm to deliver just-in-time personalized transition education that will help young adults transition to adult care. In collaboration with the Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group (CPEG), Dr. Shulman is leading an initiative to co-develop a national strategy to prevent DKA at diabetes diagnosis.

My research program continues to strive to identify and investigate important diet and disease questions in the area of cardiometabolic risk and diabetes. We use knowledge synthesis techniques (systematic reviews and meta-analyses) and randomized controlled trials to address the need for high quality data to inform clinical practice guidelines and public health policy, as well as guide the design of future trials. Clinical practice guidelines and public health policy are moving away from the more traditional macronutrient-centric dietary approaches (“low-fat”, “low-carb”, “high protein”) to more food and dietary pattern based approaches. I have helped to initiate and steer this change in the 2013 guidelines of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and the upcoming 2015 guidelines of the European Association for the study of diabetes (EASD). My research program has attempted to keep up with this modernization, as reflected in the main ongoing food and dietary pattern based foci of my research program: sugars (fructose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup), dietary pulses (beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils), tree nuts, and portfolio and low glycemic index dietary patterns.

I am a Transplant Nephrologist in the Division of Nephrology at the Toronto General Hospital with additional training in diabetes care in transplant recipients and pancreas transplantation as a treatment option for patients with Type 1 diabetes. In collaboration with Dr. David Cherney, I am currently a site investigator/Co-Investigator at UHN for two clinical trials: 1) DAPA CKD: A Study to Evaluate the Effect of Dapagliflozin on Renal Outcomes and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and 2) A double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over renal mechanistic trial to assess the effect of adding empagliflozin versus placebo on renal hyperfiltration in patients with type 1 diabetes on a background of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) Ramipril: BETWEEN study. I also have a research interest in Pancreas Transplantation. I am currently a Co-Investigator (PI: Dr. Cherney, Co-I: Dr. Kim, Dr. Cattral) on a pilot study evaluating the impact of pancreas transplantation on the complications of Type 1diabetes (BBDC Sun Life Financial Pilot and Feasibility Grant) and have published clinical outcomes research in patients with type 1 diabetes with pancreatic transplants. I also have interest in understanding the pathogenesis of recurrent diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the kidney allograft and therapies for DKD in the transplant population. Our group has recently published our experience describing the safety and efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in a group of kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients.

Diabetes, lipoproteins and atherosclerosis.

Research interest is in studying the role of ion channels (K(ATP) and TRPM2, etc.) in diabetes and stroke in diabetes, neuroprotection, and drug development, using in-vivo animal models of human diseases in combination with genomic analyses, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and functional and behavioral assessments.

Publication related to diabetes research: Cerebrovascular safety of sulfonylureas: the role of K(ATP) channels in neuroprotection and the risk of stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 2016, 65(9): 2795-2809

My lab is studying Obesity, Metabolism and Diabetes at The Hospital for Sick Children. Our research focus includes:
1) patho-physiology of adipose tissue expansion and its causal role in metabolic defect and diabetes
2) identification of adipocyte precursor cells and its metabolic function by using mouse model

My research examines neuroendorcrine contributions to mood and cognitive symptoms in type 2 diabetes. My lab conducts clinial studies, primarily of people with type 2 diabetes undertaking exercise-based rehabilitation and education interventions. We have a particular interest in the roles of cerebrovascular disease (including stroke and microagniopathy) in the effects of type 2 diabetes on the brain. We use neuroimaging, metabolomic and neurocognitive techniques.