Diabetes Research at Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute
Studying better ways to manage and treat diabetes and endocrine disorders
Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, Endocrinology, Scripps Clinic, talks with a patient as part of a clinical study.
Studying better ways to manage and treat diabetes and endocrine disorders
Through innovative research studies, Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute (SWDI) aims to find new programs, medications and technologies to enhance the quality of life for people with diabetes. Our teams have focused on community-based diabetes research for over 25 years, partnering with expert physicians at Scripps Health to offer access to the latest studies to patients in our San Diego communities.
Our investigative teams
With a focus on collaboration, our team of investigators and support staff at SWDI bring their diverse backgrounds — in endocrinology, behavioral medicine, neuroscience and more — together to discover new ways of managing diabetes. Our research nurses, coordinators, program managers and research assistants have decades of experience conducting clinical trials. This extensive background allows us to thoroughly evaluate diabetes medications and devices and deliver exceptional care to our patients.
Past and present studies
At SWDI, we engage in both investigator-initiated studies and sponsored clinical trials. The goal of our investigator-initiated research is to improve the quality of diabetes care. Our studies often involve technology and team-based care models and seek to remove barriers that contribute to health disparities in diabetes. Our interdisciplinary research team has obtained funding from NIH, foundations, pharmaceutical companies and other industry partners.
Between 2018 and 2023, Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute has received over $1.5 million annually from NIH alone to fund investigator-initiated research studies. Additionally, we have participated in hundreds of clinical trials in partnership with leading companies, such as DexCom, Eli Lilly, Medtronic, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Sanofi.