Dr. Samuel Dagogo-Jack Receives National Award for Achievement in Diabetes Research

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has selected Samuel Dagogo-Jack, MD, DSc, chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes and director of the Clinical Research Center at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, as the recipient of its 2024 Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Diabetes Research Award.

The award, which is one of the ADA's National Scientific and Health Care Achievement Awards, recognizes Dr. Dagogo-Jack's 30 years of exceptional contributions in patient-oriented clinical outcomes research. The ADA applauded his work for its significant impact on diabetes prevention and treatment and for providing critical insights into the pathobiology of prediabetes.

"When I entered the field, and even now, winning an award has never been my motivation. Our goal all along has been to increase knowledge and understanding of disease and to relieve human suffering," Dr. Dagogo-Jack said. "Over the past decades, the focus of my research has been to dissect mechanisms that disrupt normal glucose regulation and move previously healthy individuals toward prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Along with that, we have also been engaged in testing new medications for diabetes treatment and novel approaches to the prevention of diabetes and its complications."

As the A.C. Mullins Endowed Professor in Translational Research at UT Health Science Center, Dr. Dagogo-Jack continues to lead numerous studies on the origin and progression of prediabetes and diabetes, with funding amounting to more than $30 million from the National Institutes of Health, the ADA, and other organizations. He has published nine books, 23 book chapters, and more than 500 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.

The National Scientific and Health Care Achievement Awards honor academics, health care providers, and educators who have contributed to substantial advances in diabetes care and research. "The diligent work of these passionate professionals is moving us closer to a world free of diabetes," said Charles "Chuck" Henderson, chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association. "Their contributions to research, prevention, and treatment are creating lasting change and improving the lives of people affected by diabetes."

Dr. Dagogo-Jack said he is humbled to receive this award from the ADA, and he wishes to dedicate it to the people who have helped make his research possible. "This recognition is a pleasant surprise, which I share with the numerous research collaborators, students, and fellows who have worked with me over the past three decades. Most importantly, I dedicate this award to the countless research volunteers in the Memphis area and beyond, whose generosity and altruism enabled much of the research accomplishments that this award recognizes. No clinical research would be possible without the willing participation of our indispensable partners-the volunteers who give freely of their time, sweat, and blood. The debt of gratitude we owe to them is inestimable."

The ADA is the nation's leading voluntary health organization working to fight the diabetes epidemic and to help the 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes thrive. Dr. Dagogo-Jack is a past president, Medicine & Science for the ADA and has served on its Board of Directors. He has also received the association's Banting Medal for Leadership.

Along with seven other National Scientific and Health Care Achievement Award recipients, Dr. Dagogo-Jack will be recognized in June at an awards ceremony at the ADA's 84th Scientific Sessions, the world's largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention, and care. More than 11,000 leading physicians, scientists, and health care professionals from around the world are expected to convene to unveil cutting-edge research, treatment recommendations, and advances toward a cure for diabetes.