Diabetes Virtual Camp is supported in-part by:
Session Information
Session Information
Session 1: Opening Session
Monday, August 4, 2025
11:00 AM — 11:15 AM
Lauren Kim, Allison Kim, and Dr. Jason Kim
The Opening Session introduces the Diabetes Virtual Camp team (Lauren Kim, Allison Kim, and Dr. Jason Kim) and discusses the program goals, session format, Zoom policies, learning objectives, pre-session Q&A period, and post-session tasks of our program.
Session 2: Introduction to Diabetes
Monday, August 4, 2025
11:15 AM — 12:15 PM
Dr. Jason Kim
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
This session introduces diabetes: different types and diagnostic criteria of diabetes, characteristic features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, diabetic complications and co-morbidities, the importance of glucose homeostasis and how insulin regulates glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, and progressive events during the development of type 2 diabetes. The session further discusses how to prevent and manage type 2 diabetes using lifestyle modifications (diets and exercise) and different drugs for treating diabetes.
Session 3: Fructose, Sucrose, and Diabetes
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
11:00 AM — 11:35 AM
Dr. Richard Lee
Harvard University
This session discusses fructose as an important sugar in our daily lives, and how fructose can influence glucose metabolism. We will address basic mechanisms of fructose metabolism, and how fructose is similar to glucose but very different in some settings.
Session 4: TBD
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
11:40 AM — 12:15 PM
Dr. Jose Florez
Harvard Medical School
TBD
Session 5: The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Diabetes Care
Friday, August 8, 2025
11:00 AM — 11:35 AM
Dr. Enrique Caballero
Harvard Medical School
This session will allow participants to identify the role of social determinants of health in the development and course of diabetes. Important aspects such as food insecurity, lack of health care access, limited access to medications, scarce social support, and some environmental issues will be discussed.
Session 6: How Did I Get Here? One Scientist’s Journey
Friday, August 8, 2025
11:40 AM — 12:15 PM
Dr. Maureen Gannon
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
The goal of my presentation is to discuss how your life’s experiences shape who you are. I will discuss the importance of having great mentors and making the most of opportunities and curve balls that come your way. I will also talk about following where the science takes you and not being afraid to learn new things. I will end by describing the main biological questions and methods that my lab addresses and utilizes in our attempts to find therapies to prevent and treat diabetes.
Session 7: Preparing for a Career in Science and Medicine
Monday, August 11, 2025
11:00 AM — 11:35 AM
Dr. Jason Kim
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
This session introduces how high school and college students can explore their interests in science and medicine, and how college curriculum and extracurricular activities can be organized to prepare for medical school and graduate school. The session further presents a bird’s-eye view of the medical school and graduate school admissions process. The session ends with a discussion on what to expect and what challenges lie ahead in a winding path to a career in academic medicine and research, and the passion and service that define this lifelong profession.
Session 8: TBD
Monday, August 11, 2025
11:40 AM — 12:15 PM
Dr. Vasilis Vasiliou
Yale School of Public Health
TBD
Session 9: A Quest for Impact
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
11:00 AM — 11:35 AM
Dr. Robert Gabbay
Harvard Medical School
The field of diabetes research and care is vast. As I reflect on the nearly 40-year journey, I will share the drive to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes and maximize impact. It has been a journey from the micro to the macro. Along the way, you can see the many opportunities that being involved in the world of diabetes presents for your future career journeys.
Session 10: Glucose Excess in Diabetes Pathogenesis
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
11:40 AM — 12:15 PM
Dr. Jean Schaffer
Harvard Medical School
High blood sugar is a cardinal feature of diabetes. This talk will focus on how high levels of blood glucose alters cellular functions and contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Session 11: TBD
Friday, August 15, 2025
11:00 AM — 11:35 AM
Dr. Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
Tulane University School of Medicine
TBD
Session 12: Role of Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease
Friday, August 15, 2025
11:40 AM — 12:30 PM
Dr. Jason Kim
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
This session introduces the topic of obesity and the role of inflammation in type 2 diabetes: why we are so prone to becoming obese and what may drive the current obesity pandemic, and the hormonal regulation of body weight. The session further discusses the molecular mechanism by which inflammation causes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The session ends with a discussion on how inflammation is also involved in fatty liver disease, and potential therapeutic targets to treat insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic liver disease.
Session 13: Closing Session
Friday, August 15, 2025
12:30 PM — 1 PM
Dr. Jason Kim
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
The Closing Session summarizes the program and the process of receiving a program certificate, collects attendee evaluations and polls, and discusses future opportunities.
