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Diabetes Complications Program

Three scientific microscope images: left shows pink-stained kidney glomeruli, center displays a kidney stone cross-section with blue-green crystals, right shows a neural network with bright pink and green branching structures on a black background.

Our Diabetes Complications Program Research Areas
Diabetes is a persistent condition affecting many millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide. With good care and commitment, diabetes can be well managed. Our program covers cardiovascular complications, kidney complications, and eye complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The interactive and collaborative nature of our research team allows us to discover biomarkers and treatment and prevention strategies that are effective in targeting several diabetes complications simultaneously.

Preventing cardiovascular complications of diabetes
We are researching multiple areas with the goal of preventing cardiovascular complications of diabetes, such as heart attack and stroke. One of our interactive teams is investigating the possibility of improving lipid levels and inhibiting low-grade inflammation often associated with diabetes in order to prevent atherosclerosis, the leading cause of heart attack and stroke. Other members of the program work on discovering biomarkers and improved imaging techniques, so that people at increased risk of cardiovascular complications can be identified and prevention strategies can be initiated based on the particular risk factors present. We also research new approaches to heal hearts once damaged by a heart attack. Our research covers both the heart and blood vessels affected by diabetes.

Preventing kidney complications of diabetes
The goal of our research is to prevent kidney complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, because kidney complications can lead not only to loss of kidney function but can also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular complications. We are discovering biomarkers of diabetic kidney disease, so that kidney complications can be prevented. A particular area of interest is the use of compositional changes of lipoproteins as biomarkers of increased risk of kidney complications. Lipoprotein composition is carefully mapped by mass spectrometry after a simple blood draw.

Preventing eye complications of diabetes
New technologies and treatment and prevention pathways for eye complications associated with diabetes are investigated by several members of our research team. Novel technologies involve improved imaging of the eye and its blood supply. Mechanistic studies are carried out to identify new treatment options and new avenues to prevent diabetic eye complications.

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Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes

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Karin Bornfeldt, PhD
Edwin L. Bierman Professor of Medicine, Director of Research and Complications of Diabetes Research Program, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Deputy Director, UW Diabetes Research Center, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, bornf@uw.edu
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Petter Bjornstad, MD
Executive Director, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Raisbeck Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research
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Alan Chait, MD
Professor Emeritus, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute
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Ken Fujise, MD
Professor & Section Head, Harborview Medical Center Cardiology; The Harold T. Dodge-John L. Locke Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Jay Heinecke, MD
Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Karasinski Endowed Chair in Metabolic Research
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Andrew Hoofnagle, MD, PhD
Professor | Head, Division of Chemistry | Director, UW Medical Center - Montlake, Chemistry | Director, Clinical Mass Spectrometry | Director, Analytic Core, Nutrition Obesity Research Center | Assistant Director, Clinical Immunology
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Jenny Kanter, PhD
Research Associate Professor, Diabetes Research Center Enrichment Program Director, jenka@uw.edu
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Francis Kim, MD
Professor, Division of Cardiology, Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D. Endowed Professorship in Preventative Cardiology
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Rong Tian, MD, PhD
Director of Mitochondria and Metabolism Center Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, and Bioengineering Adjunct Professor, Biochemistry, Pathology, and Medicine
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Kalie Tommerdahl, MD
Associate Professor, Director, Clinical Research Safety, UW Medicine Diabetes Institute
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Tomas Vaisar, PhD
Research Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Director, Proteomics and Bioinformatics Core, Diabetes Research Center
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Hunter Wessells, MD, FACS
Professor, Department of Urology, President of UW Physicians, Fellowship Director - Genitourinary Trauma and Reconstruction
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Kidney Complications of Diabetes

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Charles Alpers, MD
Professor, Nelson Fausto-Ann De Lancey Endowed Professor
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Ian de Boer MD, MS
Professor of Medicine, Nephrology Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology Joseph W. Eschbach Endowed Chair in Kidney Research, Director of Research, Nephrology, Director, Kidney Research Institute
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Baohai Shao, PhD
Research Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition
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Stuart J. Shankland, MD, MBA
Professor of Medicine, Nephrology, Former Head, Division of Nephrology
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Eye Complications of Diabetes

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James Hurley, PhD
Professor of Biochemistry
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Lisa Olmos de Koo, MD, MBA
Professor, Division Director, Vitreoretinal Surgery, Director, Fellowship Education, Department of Ophthamology
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Kathryn Pepple, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Division Director, Uveitis, Director, Uveitis Fellowship, Director, Clinical Research, Department of Ophthalmology
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Kasra Rezaei, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Director, Harborview Medical Center Surgical Services
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Steven Saraf, MD
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Ruikang Wang, PhD
Professor of Bioengineering and Ophthalmology George And Martina Kren Endowed Chair In Ophthalmology Research
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