Christopher Rhodes, PhD, is Research Director of the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago. He supervises the activities of a major staff of researchers and also leads a number of specific studies, many funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health.
His research has been widely published in dozens of books and medical journals, and he has mentored student researchers who have gone on to prominent positions at universities and medical institutions worldwide. The general theme of Rhodes’ laboratory is to examine molecular mechanisms that control key functions of the pancreatic islet ß-cell, and investigating how these go awry in the pathogenesis of diabetes. His current ongoing research projects focus on translational control of proinsulin biosynthesis, metabolic regulation of insulin exocytosis, and signal transduction pathways for control of ß-cell growth and death.
Dr. Rhodes serves as Chair of the Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, Biological Sciences Division, at the University of Chicago. Dr. Rhodes was the recipient of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s prestigious David Rumbough Award, is past Chair for the American Diabetes Association Council for Molecular, Cellular & Biochemical Aspects of Diabetes, and is a current Associate Editor for Diabetes. He serves on the scientific advisory boards to several diabetes/obesity institutes, companies and foundations.
He also is the leading scientist representing the University of Chicago as a member of the Brehm Coalition, a multisite endeavor led by nine senior scientists who represent the fields of immunology and beta-cell biology, the two key disciplines related to the cause and probable cure for type 1 diabetes. The objective of the Brehm Coalition is to accelerate research into the root causes and mechanisms underlying diabetes, contributing to the potential development of a cure.
Schools
University of Bath (U.K.)
University of London (U.K.)
Postdoctoral Training
Harvard Medical School/Joslin Diabetes Center
University of Cambridge (U.K.)
Awards and Honors:
Wellcome Trust Travel Award
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International Fellowship Award
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International Career Development Award
Three Mary Jane Kugel Awards, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International
Kroc Lecture in Diabetes, USC
28th Arnold Lazarow Memorial Lecturer, University of Minnesota
Pfizer Visiting Professor, University of Michigan
Chair, Medical & Scientific Research Committee-II, JDRF
Research Planning Advisory Counsel – Islets. JDRF
Chair, American Diabetes Association 65th and 66th Scientific Sessions Meetings
Chair, Medical & Scientific Research Committees, JDRF
Chair, American Diabetes Association Council for Molecular, Cellular & Biochemical Aspects of Diabetes
David Rumbough Award, JDRF
The Kovler Family Professor, Endowed Chair of Medicine
