Research

Texas Diabetes Institute Initiatives

  • School Nurse Education and Diabetes Guidance for Region 20 Schools
  • Clinical care for pediatric cancer and CF related diabetes complications
  • Providers roles in the Texas Diabetes Council, Mayors Fitness Council, Academy of Pediatrics Endocrinology Executive Committee, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Public Health, APA Educational Scholars program.
  • Camp program leadership for prediabetes and youth with diabetes.
  • School based obesity/wellness clinic strategically placed in high risk neighborhood based on Metro Health geomapping collaboration.
  • Promotora intervention collaboration for improved T2D transition to adult care

Current Research:
Our Pediatric Endocrinology division has participated in leading Pediatric Diabetes NIH research, T1 diabetes exchange projects and groundbreaking clinical trials to improve endocrine care in children.

  • Clinical Trials of alternate GLP4, DPP4, TZD therapies beyond insulin and metformin for youth with type 2 diabetes.  Our TDI studies addressed the need for FDA approval of safe medications for early onset T2D with clinical trials of GLP1 studies (Victoza, Ozempic, Rebelsus, Byetta, Wygovy) in addition to studies of DPP4 and SGLT2 therapies for youth < age 18 years.  The Ellipse study led to the first FDA approval of a GLP1 category therapy down to age 10 yrs.
  • GLP clinical trials for obesity/T2D. Currently include  1) ages 6-12 with obesity, 2) Teens with T2D, 3) 4 year non placebo intervention for obesity to determine response and ability to titrate once at goal
  • iLet Bionic Pancreas. Pivotal Beta Bionics research trial was completed and published in 2022 with prompt FDA approval and initial local launch. Further research plans in place for upcoming insulin/glucagon dual chamber study.
  • UHS/UT Regional Thyroid Center of Excellence and pediatric Affirma cancer testing program in 2020. Dr. Francis leads this initiative and also led the task force for the first ATA guidelines for pediatric thyroid nodules and cancer which are being revised. He oversees AFFIRMA additional testing of thyroid biopsies with monthly cytopathology conference. .
  • Dexcom sensor use funded trial with ALL steroid therapy to determine feasibility and tolerability of CGM wear for CF patients at risk for steroid induced hyperglycemia impacting morbidity.
  • Use of ILet Bionic Pancreas with Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD). JAEB clinical trial in youth and young adults with CRFD to assess for improved lung function, survival and transplant outcomes with iLet insulin therapy
  • Arterial Stiffness in CF patients with/without Diabetes prospective clinical trial with DXA, Pulse wave velocity and metabolic markers to assess arterial stiffness and cardiometabolic risk compared to healthy controls.
  • SPeCTRum: Coordinated extensive cross-sectional study of clinical data, biospecimens and experimental outcome with CGM metrics in a 200 patient CFRD cohort across 6 national sites
  • NIH 15 year “TODAY” study: We were one of 13 national sites for this landmark study that was completed in 2021. With >125 published major journal articles, highlighting the longitudinal devastating outcomes in youth onset T2D with several follow up funded sub- studies using stored samples.
  • Metro Health collaboration for regional mapping of pediatric diabetes incidence regarding SDoH and Public Health bioinformatics.
  • LRG1 Clinical & Bench research: LRG1 molecule role in early onset insulin resistance and fatty liver in youth with knock out mouse models finding consistent pattens of LRG-1 response to high fat diets preceding early insulin resistance.
  • “SAFARI” study sample research from earlier NIH local study of 699 third generation high risk Hispanic youth with risk for CVD and T2D in collaboration with T2Genes
  • Chromosome 18 Clinical Research Center International Chromosome 18 Research and Clinical Global Chromosome 18 Research Network.
  • TZIELD Upcoming arrangements underway for Stage 2 T1D infusions therapy to reverse or delay of stage 2 T1 Diabetes

Resources

Faculty Research Interest

Jane L. Lynch, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
Greehey Foundation Endowed Chair, Pediatric Endocrinology
Interim Division Chief
Fellowship Director of Pediatric Endocrinology
Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Research Interests:
Childhood Diabetes – insulin combination therapies, insulin pumps, Chronic Disease in Children, type 2 diabetes.

Gary L. Francis, MD, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Research Interests:
Thyroid cancer in children, thyroid neoplasia and any thyroid diseases in children

Maria Rayas, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Research Interests:
Continuous glucose monitoring in Type 1 Diabetes and Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Elia Nila Escaname, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Program Director
Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Research Interests:
Epigenetics of childhood obesity, metabolic and body composition assessments on infants of diabetic mothers, educational scholarship

Luisa M. Rodriguez, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Pediatric Endocrinology Medical Director
Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes
Research Interests:
Pediatric clinical research that involves new treatment options for children with Type 2 diabetes and appetite suppression in obesity.

Ruby Favela-Prezas, FNP
Diabetes Technology and Education

Valeria Marin, APRN, DNP, FNP
Diabetes and Obesity, School Based Wellness Clinic