Principal Investigator: Jennifer Wang, MD

Dr. Wang is a renowned physician-scientist in the field of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and viral immunology at UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Health in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Research

Type 1 diabetes is caused by insulin deficiency resulting from the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Dr. Wang’s research has focused on how viral infection may trigger T1D. Using primary and stem-cell derived human islets (in vitro or engrafted in mice in vivo) and using rat models of diabetes, her research is currently investigating relationships between infection, innate immunity, inflammation, and islet function. By collaborating with leading academic and industry investigators, Dr. Wang’s research at the UMass Diabetes Center of Excellence further explores potential therapeutic targets for treating T1D.

Viral Studies

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes a highly contagious acute respiratory illness that's responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in humans. IAV causes both seasonal epidemics and worldwide pandemics. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent responsible for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), has caused well over a million deaths worldwide. Dr. Wang’s is currently studying immune responses during several infections. She's actively engaged in human clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of human respiratory viruses.

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