UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence

08/01/2025

After more than three decades, Dale Greiner, PhD, has stepped down as Co-Director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE) at UMass Chan Medical School. His longtime colleague and mentee, Michael Brehm, PhD, was appointed as the new Co-Director, joining David Harlan, MD, in leading the DCOE’s research mission to prevent and ultimately cure type 1 diabetes (T1D).

https://www.umassmed.edu/dcoe/news/umass-diabetes-news/2025/08/greiner-brehm-leadership-transition

Dr. Greiner's pioneering work in developing and improving preclinical models that mimic human immune systems and allow scientists to study human cells & tissues without risk to people, transformed the field. These models have been widely adopted across the globe for the study of autoimmunity, transplantation, and immunotherapy.

Dr. Greiner will remain actively involved in our ongoing T1D research efforts at UMass Chan, where he holds the Herman G. Berkman Chair in Diabetes Care Innovation.

Dr. Dale Greiner stepped down as co-director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence at UMass Chan Medical School. His longtime colleague and mentee, Dr. Michael Brehm, was appointed as the new co-director, joining Dr. David Harlan.

07/31/2025

Yesterday's 🎁 Jolly in July 🌺 brought smiles and joy to UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center led by Child Life Specialists and supported by our pediatric diabetes care team! These photos include our social worker, diabetes educators & a pharmacy liason! Leave a comment if you recognize anyone :)

07/30/2025

Today, Child Life Specialists including Keri from the UMass Memorial pediatric diabetes care team are celebrating 🎄Jolly in July 🎁 with gifts, games, treats & fun at UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center

07/30/2025

Join SDRI, American Diabetes Association, and Breakthrough T1D for a FREE virtual Town Hall designed to empower parents, caregivers, and students with the tools, confidence, and support they need to thrive this school year.

- Expert guidance from diabetes experts
-Tips for navigating 504 plans, daily care, and school safety
-Live Q&A to get your questions answered

Register now at http://bit.ly/4lJHYPW

Let’s make this school year a strong and supported one - together!

07/25/2025

Wiffle Ball at Camp Joslin in Charlton with camp staff, UMass Chan DCOE scientists and UMass Memorial diabetes providers. Campers participated by announcing, coaching, cheering and playing…and if a spectator caught a foul ball…the batter was out! There's no need to discuss the score, but enjoy the following photos with descriptions.

Barton Center for Diabetes Education,
UMass Chan Medical School
UMass Memorial Health

07/24/2025

Scientists from the Diabetes Center of Excellence contributed to this type 1 diabetes research, shedding light on how the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. They examined human pancreatic islets, which contain all the body’s beta cells, induced with stress caused by inflammatory molecules called cytokines. This stress changes how these cells present themselves to the immune system. Specifically, exposure to cytokines alters the way islet cells display tiny protein fragments, or 'antigens.' http://bit.ly/4o2KJxw

Their findings, published in Cell Reports, show that cytokine stress causes islet cells to present new types of antigens. These new antigens may attract immune cells and fuel the attack that destroys insulin-producing cells in type 1 diabetes.

at UMass Chan Medical School

Human islets exposed to cytokines alter the way islet cells display antigens to the immune system, according to this newly published study.

07/16/2025

In this article, Diabetes Education Manager Cheryl Barry, RN, CDCES, highlights the latest & greatest technology to manage diabetes.

New continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin & glucagon delivery devices continue to emerge on the market. There are various options for individuals living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

https://www.umassmed.edu/dcoe/news/diabetes-technology-update

This information is provided for educational purposes only. The content does not represent endorsement of any vendor or product.

Insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors and glucagon for type 1 diabetics and type 2 patients to manage blood sugars. Diabetes management technology update.

07/15/2025

Meet our summer interns in the laboratories of Michael Brehm, PhD & Dale Greiner, PhD:

Emma (left) is a rising junior at High Point University majoring in Biology & Spanish. She is on the Pre-Med Track with a passion for oncology, caring for older adults, and research in autoimmune diseases. She is finding it valuable to learn about the novel models of Type 1 diabetes used in the Brehm & Greiner labs, to study human cells & tissues in vivo, and to gain a deeper understanding of T1D and how it can be applied to study other autoimmune diseases. Emma enjoys volunteering at a hospice, working with the Red Cross to host blood drives at High Point, and traveling.

Nithila (right) is a rising junior at New York University Shanghai majoring in Biology & Social Science. She is on the Pre-Med Track, with plans to help communities that lack quality healthcare. During Advanced Cell Lab classes at school, she learned foundational techniques including flow cytometry, cell culturing, and cell staining, and has enjoyed seeing them in day-to-day practice in our labs. Nithila appreciates learning the scientific software used in the Brehm & Greiner labs. She enjoys writing research-based articles for her school newspaper and being active in political canvassing.

07/10/2025

Thank you, Mattel, for producing the first-ever Barbie with Type 1 diabetes. https://youtu.be/3WbRlKnbnZY

She's wearing:

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm

An insulin pump at her waist

A blue polka-dot outfit inspired by diabetes awareness symbols

A blue purse for diabetes supplies and snacks

This was created in partnership with Breakthrough T1D to empower children with to see themselves reflected in their toys. 💙

https://www.breakthrought1d.org/barbie/

Breakthrough T1D and Mattel, Inc., have partnered to create the first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D)!

07/08/2025

Diabetes Virtual Camp, created by UMass Chan Medical School scientist Jason Kim, PhD, and his family, is back for Summer 2025! Originally started during the pandemic to connect students with diabetes experts worldwide, this FREE online program has reached over 2,700 students from 52 countries.

High school, college, graduate students, and healthcare professionals will learn about the latest developments in diabetes research, treatment & careers in medicine and science. Suggested donation benefits the American Diabetes Association.

Learn more at

This Zoom based research internship program covers current diabetes research and treatment topics as well as an academic career path in medicine and science for students. It was created by the family of UMass Chan Medical School professor and diabetes scientist Jason Kim, PhD.

07/07/2025

Lisa was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four. Today, the mother of two young boys credits her tight blood sugar control to the preparations she made for pregnancy with the help of a health psychologist and her diabetes care team. Lisa is a prime example of someone living their best life with diabetes. View Lisa's photo essay and learn more about her successful diabetes management! Her UMass Memorial DCOE Care Team is very proud of her continued success.

Lisa Marie Hill was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on Halloween night in 1985 at the age of four.  View her photo essay and learn more about her successful diabetes management.  

07/01/2025

Saturday's 10th bi-annual UMass Diabetes Foot Screening & Health Clinic for the underserved community at Worcester's MLK Center. Volunteers from UMass Memorial and students from UMass Chan Medical School provided examinations, distributed information, and scheduled follow-up appointments as necessary. Diabetes, vascular surgery, podiatry, cardiology, and other departments checked vital signs, performed foot exams, conducted point-of-care lab testing, wound care, and more. Each attendee receives a pair of sneakers & socks. Hot food was served, and other resources were provided.

The inaugural multidisciplinary outreach clinic was held on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2020, at the Saint Francis Xavier Center. It has since been held at multiple locations. Organizer Tammy Nguyen, MD, PhD, is a vascular surgeon & Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE) scientist who combines her interests in diabetic wound healing and homeless medicine to provide necessary health resources to this underserved population.