| June 23, 2010 | Media contact: Shantell Kirkendoll E-mail: smkirk@umich.edu Phone: 734-764-2220 |
Martin G. Myers Jr. earns American Diabetes Association's scientific award
University of Michigan researcher helped build the framework for understanding how the fat hormone leptin regulates metabolism
Dr. Martin G. Myers Jr.
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Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Martin G. Myers Jr., M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Diabetes Center, will receive the American Diabetes Association’s prestigious Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award during the association’s 70th scientific sessions in Orlando, Florida June 25-29.
The Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award recognizes outstanding scientific achievement in the field of diabetes, taking into consideration independence of thought and originality.
Currently the Marilyn H. Vincent Professor of Diabetes Research at the University of Michigan and associate professor of internal medicine, and of molecular and integrative physiology at the U-M Medical School, Myers began his impressive track record in diabetes research as a graduate student in the laboratory of Morris White, M.D., at the Joslin Diabetes Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Following his graduation from the Harvard M.D.-Ph.D program in 1997, Myers was promoted to instructor in medicine at Joslin/Harvard. He began his independent work by building a molecular framework for understanding the mechanisms of leptin signaling, including how individual phosphorylation sites on the leptin receptor recruit distinct signaling molecules. He was promoted to assistant professor at Harvard in 1999.
In 2004, Myers moved to the University of Michigan, where he built upon the molecular framework of leptin signaling to probe the regulation of metabolism by individual leptin signals. Myers’ laboratory revealed the specificity of leptin signals in metabolic control, including the role for leptin-STAT 3 signaling in the regulation of energy balance and glucose homeostasis. His group also defined roles for leptin receptor feedback inhibition and hypothalamic mTor signaling in metabolism.
Recently, Myers’ lab developed novel molecular approaches to elucidate the leptin-regulated brain circuits that contribute to metabolic control, enabling the discovery of novel brain systems and their functions. Myers' work has important implications for further research on obesity and addiction, since leptin signaling appears to help explain our motivations for food and other desires.
Myers received early recognition for his scientific abilities from the American Diabetes Association, receiving a Career Development Award in 1998. Myers’ current support includes a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Merit Award. The Myers lab continues to discover mechanisms of leptin action at the level of cellular signals and neural circuitry.
More than 13,000 top scientists, physicians and other health care professionals from around the world will share cutting edge research, treatment recommendations and advances toward a cure for diabetes at the Association’s Scientific Sessions in Orlando.
Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes contributes to the deaths of more than 230,000 Americans each year.
The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is more than $174 billion; further published studies suggest that when additional costs for gestational diabetes, pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes are included, the total diabetes-related costs in the United States could exceed $218 billion.
Resources
American Diabetes Association
www.diabetes.org
U-M Comprehensive Diabetes Center
www.med.umich.edu/diabetes/
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