Principal Investigator

Professor of Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.
Director of Diabetes and Beta Cell Biology Center
Endowed Chair for Diabetes and Metabolic Bone Disease

Lab Manager

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Dr. Lee’s primary research is investigating the mechanism of beta cell proliferation to reverse type2 diabetes and the circadian regulation of beta cell function, mitochondrial metabolism, metabolic inflexibility and diabetes.

Research Scientist

Dr. Negi received her Ph.D. from AcSIR-IGIB, Delhi, India. Her research is focused on epigenetic regulation of genes controlling beta cells during development and diabetes. During her free time, she likes to go for long walks or hikes and play board/card games with friends.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Amit completed his PhD from CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, Delhi, India and completed his engineering in Biotechnology from the India Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India. He is currently exploring liver metabolism via dietary/genetic interventions to induce liver NASH and to understand the immunological and molecular mechanisms. He is also exploring the energy sensing pathways in liver and skeletal muscle as a therapeutic approach to regulate metabolism. During his spare time, he enjoys playing Cricket and other sports and traveling to new places.

Pediatric Endocrinology Fellow, NIH T32 Grant Awardee

Dr. Filingeri completed his Pediatric Residency at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, DE and Philadelphia, PA, and is currently completing his Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In his second year of fellowship (PGY-5), he was awarded an NIH T32 grant through the department of Endocrinology at the University of Pittsburgh to fund his postdoctoral research in diabetes with Dr. Yechoor. Dr. Filingeri’s research focuses on a newly discovered protein, RIMOC1, and seeks to better understand its role in beta cell function. Dr. Filingeri’s research will explore in vivo, and ex vivo phenotypes of beta cell selective knockout of this novel gene in transgenic mouse models, as well as study in vitro phenotypes of overexpression and knockout using cell models. The ultimate goal of his project is to show that this protein is protective against the development of diabetes and represents an area of future research.

MD/PhD Graduate Student – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine & Carnegie Mellon University Medical Scientist Training Program

Varun’s research centers on the role of environmental circadian disruption in the pathogenesis of heart failure. He received his B.S. in Biological Sciences and B.A. in History & Philosophy of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He is originally from Orange County, California. During his free time, Varun enjoys recreating works of ancient art, learning new languages, and trying out vegan desserts in Pittsburgh.

Lab Technician

Joey graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2023 with a degree in biological sciences and joined the lab his senior year of undergrad. He is originally from the small town of Franklin, PA. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his dogs, Zippy and Jack.

Undergraduate Student

Hanna is an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University majoring in Neurobiology in the Mellon College of Science. Her research interests include the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and glucose metabolism to advance treatment for diabetes and other metabolic disorders. She is originally from Dayton, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys wandering through bookstores and trying out new coffee shops in Pittsburgh.