BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – John A. Corbett, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, will be the inaugural director of the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center. He will join UAB June 1.

“A leader in research examining the mechanism by which pancreatic islet cells are destroyed, Dr. Corbett will aptly lead UAB’s efforts at finding better treatments, and we hope eventually a cure, for diabetes,” said Robert R. Rich, M.D., senior vice president and dean of the UAB School of Medicine. “Additionally, John has a long record as a mentor, which will help UAB as we continue to grow the number of scientists focused on diabetes.

“I congratulate Dr. Edward Abraham, chair of the Department of Medicine, and the entire search committee for their successful efforts in finding a candidate who best fits our goals for the diabetes center.” Corbett is examining the potential role nitric oxide plays in the death of islet cells in the pancreas. Additionally, he is exploring environmental factors that may play a role in islet cell death. He is the author or co-author on more than 100 scientific writings.

Corbett earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Saint Norbert College in DePere, Wisc. and his doctorate at Utah State University in biochemistry. After completing post-doctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis, he joined the faculty there as an instructor in pathology. Corbett joined the faculty at St. Louis University in 1995 as an assistant professor in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Corbett is a member of the editorial boards for the American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

“The concentrated effort UAB is putting forward in the understanding, treatment and prevention of diabetes creates the opportunity to make major advances,” Corbett said. “I’m very honored that I have been chosen to help guide this endeavor.”

UAB’s Comprehensive Diabetes Center has thrived on the generosity of the community and the determination of expert researchers and physicians to make strides in treating diabetes and bring hope for a cure. Groundbreaking research has been done in immunity and autoimmunity, examining the biological mechanisms that cause diabetes, experimenting with new treatments and even successfully transplanting healthy islet cells into the body of a diabetic patient.