The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes offers an energetic research environment.  Faculty and fellow research projects include the entire spectrum of pediatric endocrinology conditions, both basic science and clinically-oriented projects. 

Clinical Research

Research coordinators:                                                             

Sharon May, RN, BSN, CCRP

E-mail: smay@peds.uab.edu

Phone: 205.996.2134 or 205.638.5031

Tushima Reeves, Research Specialist

E-mail: treeves@peds.uab.edu

Phone: 205.996.7648

Clinical Research Programs

The Comprehensive Diabetes Center (TCDC):

A Comprehensive Diabetes Center was established in 2007. The Center’s research interests include T- and B-cell immunology, pancreatic β cell biology and developmental biology. Our Center’s research is directed at understanding the fundamental issues related to the development of type 1 diabetes. The goal the TCDC is to identify novel mechanisms or strategies to prevent or cure this disease.

Endocrine Newborn Screening Center:

The endocrine division collaborates with the Alabama State Screening program to optimize immediate and long-range follow up care of newborns with congenital hypothyroidism and adrenal hyperplasia. Longitudinal data analysis of clinical outcomes is a key component.

LAB Bench Research

Dr’s McCormick and Stalvey have active labs hosting research of our areas of interest also.

Particular areas of research include:

• Pathogenesis of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

• Optimizing current and long term health and well- being of endocrine disorder patients

• Effect of GABA or Combination of GABA/GAD on the Progression of Type I Diabetes in Children

• Racial differences in the incidence of Type I Diabetes

• Factors influencing the recovery from Type 2 Diabetes

• Characteristics and co-morbidities of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in children

• Hypertriglyceridemia- etiology, outcomes, and treatments

• Lipid disorders in diabetes and obesity

• Growth hormone disorder treatment and therapies

• Long-acting growth hormone treatments compared to daily injections

• Long-acting insulin therapy

• Current clinical therapies in cystic fibrosis related diabetes

• Assessment of un-methylated Insulin DNA with Droplet Digital PCR in Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes and its Relationship to Mixed Meal Tolerance Testing

• Measurement of un-methylated insulin DNA as a predictor of β cell death in patients with cystic fibrosis

• Long-term follow-up registry of patients with hypophosphatasia

• Redox Regulation of endoplasmic steroid production and calcium uptake

• Trial Net: We are an active participant in Trial Net (a study screening relatives of children with type 1 diabetes to determine if any family member is at risk for developing diabetes).

Currently the Division has several active research projects approved by the University of Alabama Institutional Review Board. The Division avidly pursues publication of original scientific work well-respected peer-reviewed journals. We also participate in industry sponsored clinical trials that test new treatments for Type I Diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and growth hormone treatment modalities