Endocrinology Research
Our Mission
Our research staff strives to incorporate cutting edge translational and clinical research originating from both faculty investigators and industry-based protocols.
Current Studies
DISCOVERY Study
Children’s of Alabama/ UAB’s Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Department of Nutrition Sciences is recruiting participants for the groundbreaking DISCOVERY study. This multi-center research initiative seeks to uncover why some children with a body mass index (BMI) above the 85th percentile develop type 2 diabetes while others do not.
Who can participate?
We are looking for children and teens who meet the following criteria:
- Age: 9–13 for girls and 10-14 for boys
- BMI: At or above the 85th percentile
- HbA1c level: 5.5% or higher
What to expect:
Participants will receive comprehensive health evaluations, including:
- In-person and phone visits
- Lab tests
- Physical exams
- Glucose (blood sugar) monitoring
- Questionnaires
Key details:
- This study does not involve medications.
- There is no cost to participate.
- Participants will be compensated for their time.
By joining the DISCOVERY study, your child can contribute to important research that may help prevent type 2 diabetes in children and teens.
For more information, please contact us:
- Phone: 205-517-1351
- Email: discovery@uab.edu
Learn more online: discovery.bsc.gwu.edu
Leadership
Ambika Ashraf, MD
Director of Research Affairs
Research Coordinators
Mary Cochran, RN, BSN
Email: marycochran@uabmc.edu
Phone: 205-638-5038
Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator II
Tushima Fails Reeves
Email: TFails@uabmc.edu
Phone: 205-638-9173
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Avelyn Smith
Email: avelynsmith@uabmc.edu
Phone: 205-638-6443
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Clinical and Translational Research in areas of:
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Pre-diabetes
- Obesity
- Growth Hormone Deficiency
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
- Hypophosphatemic Rickets
- Lipodystrophy
- Thyroid Cancer
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Precocious puberty
- Lipodystrophy
- Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia
