ADA Bets $11.3M on AI, Gene Editing to Revolutionize Diabetes Care

ARLINGTON, VA – February 17, 2026 – The American Diabetes Association (ADA) today announced a strategic investment of $11.3 million into the future of diabetes research, awarding its prestigious Pathway to Stop Diabetes® grants to seven early-career scientists. The move signals a major push towards harnessing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, CRISPR gene editing, and cellular therapies to combat a disease that, along with prediabetes, affects 136 million Americans.

Since its inception, the Pathway program has been a crucial incubator for scientific talent, providing researchers with substantial, multi-year funding and mentorship to pursue high-risk, high-reward ideas that often fall outside traditional funding mechanisms. With this new cohort, the total number of grantees has reached 50, representing a sustained commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.

"Diabetes research is vital to improving the lives of people living with diabetes, and ultimately finding a cure," said Rita Kalyani, MD, MHS, the ADA's chief scientific and medical officer. "The ADA is proud to foster new medical breakthroughs and support early-career investigators who are conducting innovative, high-impact diabetes research. Congratulations to these pioneering scientists."

The Next Frontier: AI, CRISPR, and Cellular Cures

Several of the 2026 awards are aimed squarely at the technological frontier of medicine. These projects represent a shift from managing diabetes to fundamentally altering its course through biological and computational intervention.

At Boston Children's Hospital, Dr. Christina Astley is leveraging artificial intelligence to decode the subtle patterns of glycemic decline. Her project will analyze continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data to create computational models that act as early warning signals for the progression to diabetes. "The path from healthy glucose levels to prediabetes and diabetes remains incompletely understood," Dr. Astley stated. She aims to translate her findings into digital health tools that can "help change the course of disease."

Meanwhile, Dr. Sagar Bapat at the University of California, San Francisco, is pioneering a novel "living therapeutic" for obesity-induced diabetes. His research utilizes CRISPR technology to engineer T cells—a type of immune cell—to enhance the function of adipose (fat) tissue and improve insulin sensitivity. "This award will enable us to pursue a novel type of living T cell-based therapy aimed at modulating adipose tissue function to promote metabolic health," explained Dr. Bapat. This approach could offer a durable, preventative intervention by reprogramming the body's own systems.

For type 1 diabetes, where the body's immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells, Dr. Jessie Barra at the University of Florida is developing a groundbreaking model system. Her work integrates genome engineering and stem cell biology to create immune-protective, lab-grown beta cells. Dr. Barra described the award as a "pivotal moment" for her research, enabling her to "address fundamental barriers to long-term beta cell graft survival in type 1 diabetes" and bring lasting therapies closer to reality.

Further exploring the cellular underpinnings of the disease, Dr. Rebecca Voorhees at the California Institute of Technology will dissect the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the development of type 2 diabetes. "This support will allow my laboratory to pursue a new line of high-risk, high-reward research trying to understand the fundamental mechanisms of diabetes pathogenesis that would have otherwise not been possible," Dr. Voorhees said.

Beyond the Lab: Real-World Solutions and Health Equity

While some projects look deep inside the cell, others focus on creating immediate, practical solutions that address systemic barriers and health disparities in communities. These grants underscore the ADA's dual focus on both breakthrough science and accessible public health interventions.

Dr. Marissa Burgermaster of The University of Texas at Austin is launching the first efficacy trial to evaluate the impact of primary care doctors providing direct nutrition counseling. Her grandfather's struggle with the disease inspired her to find a way for doctors to offer personalized dietary advice in minutes during routine appointments. "My grandfather's struggle with diabetes showed me how desperately patients need practical nutrition guidance, but how difficult it is to get that support within our current health care system," she shared.

Addressing the global and diverse nature of the disease, Dr. Tinashe Chikowore at Brigham and Women's Hospital is developing a culturally sensitive, AI-driven mobile app. His research aims to personalize dietary recommendations for diabetes prevention to reflect the varied eating patterns across the globe. "I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award... which enables my team and collaborators to address this critical challenge," Dr. Chikowore remarked.

At New York University, Dr. Angela Trude is focusing on empowering low-income youth. Her project, OPT-TEEN, will test a combination of youth-led online prevention efforts, financial incentives, and shoppable food lists to promote healthy eating. "I am deeply committed to advancing diabetes research as it relates to youth through addressing systemic barriers to healthy food access," said Dr. Trude.

A Proven Pathway for Fostering Innovation

The Pathway program's strategic value lies in its unique model. While the ADA's investment is a fraction of the federal budget for diabetes research—the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) alone had a budget of approximately $1.3 billion in 2022—it fills a critical niche. By providing long-term, flexible funding to scientists at a pivotal career stage, the program nurtures the kind of bold thinking that leads to paradigm shifts.

The program's track record speaks for itself. Since its launch over a decade ago, Pathway grantees have filed dozens of patents, launched at least 16 startup companies, and published over 300 manuscripts. Past projects have yielded significant insights, including work by Dr. Sarah Tishkoff on genetic risk factors in African populations and research by Dr. Stephen C.J. Parker that used 'omics' profiling to deconstruct the genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes.

The urgency for such innovation has never been greater. The total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States soared to $412.9 billion in 2022, a staggering figure that includes direct medical costs and lost productivity. The disease also disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority communities, highlighting the need for the equitable and culturally competent solutions being pursued by this new class of grantees.

As the ADA celebrates 85 years of advocacy and research, this latest investment reaffirms its role as a key catalyst in the fight against diabetes. Nominations for the 2027 Pathway awards are now open, continuing the search for the next generation of scientists who will pave the way toward a cure.