Director's Note

If you’re not ahead, you’re behind. In rapidly evolving medical and scientific fields, this tenet is especially true. As researchers, we often find ourselves needing to address questions about technologies that haven’t been invented yet. Being a lifelong learner is now more important than ever.

To speed up and enhance scientific innovation, we share in this issue how NIDDK is implementing the new NIH Data Management and Sharing policy. NIDDK is committed to assisting the research community to ensure that all NIH-supported research that generates scientific data involves a plan and budget for how the data will be responsibly and effectively shared and managed.

Along with advancing rigorous research, another NIDDK priority is ensuring that the results that come from public investment in research are effectively circulated to keep people aware of our progress and provide them with consistent, reliable health information. We do this in many ways, including this newsletter, and my weekly syndicated radio show “Healthy Moments.” Read about “Healthy Moments” and listen now on our website.

Learn about important research accomplishments and new technologies from the last year in our annual report, NIDDK Recent Advances and Emerging Opportunities, featured in this issue. The report, along with the research updates highlighted, build on prior findings and breaks new ground for future discoveries.

Also in our Spring issue, we learn that the seeds planted with NIDDK’s Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet research program have bloomed into the approval of teplizumab by the Food and Drug Administration. Teplizumab is the first medication shown to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes.

We also share other new beginnings, such as welcoming Dr. Christopher Koh as NIDDK’s new clinical director of the Division of Intramural Research, along with other staff who’ve recently joined NIDDK in the Commendations & Commencements section.

We hope you enjoy and subscribe to continue learning about NIDDK research.

In good health,

Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P.
Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Follow @NIDDKgov on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook