Principal Investigator
Accalia Fu, PhD
Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School Diabetes Center of Excellence
Investigator, JDRF Center of Excellence in New England
The main focus of our lab is to understand pancreatic beta cell metabolism in the context of inflammation, immune cell interactions and diabetes. Dr. Fu is inspired by the strong influence of molecular metabolism on a cell’s response and adaptability to stress.
Postdoctoral Training - Dana-Farber Center/Harvard Medical School
Identified metabolic nodes fueled by glucose that protect beta cells from diabetogenic inflammation stress in Dr. Nika Danial’s lab
PhD Biochemistry - University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Worked on LKB1 and AMPK kinase family members in Dr. Rob Screaton’s lab
Honors BSc Biology/Biotch - University of Ottawa
Honors/Awards
- JDRF Postdoc Fellowship
- Canadian Diabetes Fellowship
Lab Members
Meredith Becher
Research Associate
BA in Biology, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA (2023)
One of my favorite things about biology is that there is always more being discovered and something new to learn every day. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, baking and hiking.
Alejandra Rivera Nieves
Graduate Student
BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, San Juan, Puerto Rico
I joined the lab in 2023 and my project focuses on the role of mitochondria metabolism in diabetes. In my free time, I enjoy reading fiction, painting, and baking.
Savior Watts
Research Associate
BS in Biology, Clark University, Worcester, MA (2022)
My favorite thing about science is the opportunity to see and deal with microscopic life every day that most people do not get to see.
Brian Wauford
Graduate Student
BA in Biology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME (2019)
I joined the lab during the summer of 2023 and am working on Arginase II’s role in protective glucose metabolism in diabetes. When not in the lab, I enjoy reading fantasy series and golfing on the weekends.