Pitt Pediatrics congratulates Henry Dong, PhD, for his recent NIH grant award entitled “Beta-cell IRS 1 in pregnancy and gestational diabetes”. 
The goal of this project is to characterize insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) in regulating beta-cell compensation, an adaptive mechanism by which pancreatic beta-cells release more insulin for maintaining blood glucose within a normal range during pregnancy. Insufficient beta-cell compensation leads to insulin deficiency and gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes affects up to 10% of all pregnancies in the US and with long-lasting adverse effects on the health of both mothers and infants. This project is expected to explain the mechanism of beta-cell compensation for pregnancy and gain new important insights into the etiology of gestational diabetes.
The grant for this project will last five years.
Join us in congratulating and celebrating Dr. DOng for this great award. And follow Pitt Pediatrics on Bluesky and Instagram for future updates on resident education, awards, and recognitions.