Research Advisory Committee Will Provide Guidance in Fight against Type 1 Diabetes.

BOSTON – (February 16, 2016) - Lori Laffel, M.D., M.P.H., has been appointed to the newly formed Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Dr. Laffel, who is Chief of the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Section at Joslin Diabetes Center and Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, is one of five researchers appointed to the RAC.

"JDRF is honored to receive support and guidance from such an esteemed group of scientists who are leaders in the T1D research field, represent a variety of perspectives, and have long histories with JDRF," said Derek Rapp, JDRF President and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement released by JDRF. "The new RAC will help JDRF work optimally in the interests of the organization, the broader research community, and everyone who shares JDRF's vision of a world without T1D."

“The JDRF has been an important organization for advances in type 1 diabetes research and care,” said Dr. Laffel. “I am very pleased to be a member of JDRF’s new Research Advisory Committee to help in its mission to improve the lives of persons living with type 1 diabetes and ultimately to cure the disease.”

Dr. Laffel has over 25 years of experience in research and clinical care. She oversees New England's largest pediatric diabetes clinic at Joslin.  She also serves as co-head of the Section on Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research at Joslin. Her research and clinical interests focus on preventing the late complications of type 1 diabetes and preserving the health, development, and family functioning of children, adolescents and young adults with diabetes.  

Dr. Laffel is joined on the committee by Dr. Roy Beck, Executive Director of the JAEB Center for Health Research, Tampa, Florida, Dr. Matthias Hebrok of the University of California-San Francisco, Dr. Douglas Melton of Harvard University, and Dr. Robert Sherwin of Yale University. Two representatives of JDRF's International Board of Directors will also serve on the RAC, Dr. Stephen Newman and Margery Perry.  

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