About DORI

OUR MISSION

The USC Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute fosters cutting-edge basic, clinical, and public health research to bring advances in novel discoveries in the laboratory to real-world strategies for obesity and diabetes prevention and treatment at individual, community, national, and global levels.

A Message from the Directors

From left to right: Kathleen Page, M.D., Scott Kanoski, Ph.D. & Thomas A. Buchanan, M.D.

The Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute (DORI) unifies and offers a forum for collaboration and exchange to these investigators and existing USC research centers. The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, led by Thomas Buchanan, MD, incorporates obesity and diabetes research as a priority area, and also includes a strong program in Community Engagement, led by Michele Kipke, Ph.D. The Saban Research Institute at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles is home to several leading experts investigating the developmental aspects of obesity in the context of studying how the brain develops to regulate eating behavior.

Moreover, the USC Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation offers opportunities for advancements in the delivery of healthcare in obesity and diabetes, the Schaeffer Center offers research aimed at reducing health disparities, and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services offers opportunities to treat disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles. Investigators conducting this research across USC are supported by numerous grants from various Institutes at the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and now the DORI.

Whether it’s examining the genetic underpinnings of diabetes, analyzing the brain for appetite control centers, or improving diabetes treatments, or simply building a community garden, the DORI investigators are committed to linking basic, clinical, and public health research to fight the co-epidemics of diabetes and obesity.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Page, M.D., Scott Kanoski, Ph.D. & Thomas A. Buchanan, M.D.
Directors, USC Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute

Guided by four strategic goals, we aim to advance scientific discovery in the field of obesity and diabetes.

1. Create an environment that fosters discourse and education

Host a monthly seminar series and yearly symposium with leaders in the fields of obesity and diabetes

Support of the Summer Program in Diabetes and Obesity Research (SPIDOR) to provide underrepresented students the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in the laboratories of DORI investigators

2. Support and build interdisciplinary research teams and discoveries

Incentivize cross-disciplinary collaborations and partnerships across schools and departments within USC and across universities throughout the world

Sponsor an innovative, annual pilot research funding program

3. Provide core infrastructure and shared resources

Facilitate basic and applied research relevant to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity

Leverage collaborative workspaces across departments

Build and expand collective core research facilities, including the DORI Clinical Services Core, DORI Metabolic Assay Core, and Saban Rodent Metabolic Core

4. Expand our ability to examine and prevent obesity and diabetes

Translate knowledge into practice

Recruit top-tier faculty

Fundraise to support on-going and pilot studies to advance new discoveries in diabetes and obesity research

Dori at a Glance

Our Mission, Goals, and Collaborations

Overview & Executive Summary

DORI was launched in 2012 with a $3M gift from the Clifton Stewart Estate and further support from the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) in 2024. Led by Director, Dr. Katie Page, and

Co-Directors, Drs. Scott Kanoski and Tom Buchanan, DORI drives innovative diabetes and obesity research in alignment with the KSOM Research Strategic Plan, which prioritizes these

critical health challenges.

Mission & Vision

Mission: Revolutionizing diabetes and obesity research through multidisciplinary

collaboration, community engagement, precision-based approaches, and exceptional trainee

education.

Vision: Establish USC as a global leader in prevention and precision-based research to improve the health of individuals with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders.

Strategic Goals

Foster Interdisciplinary Research: Enhance collaboration among USC scientists to drive groundbreaking discoveries.
Provide Core Infrastructure & Resources: Support research with shared facilities and expertise.
Cultivate a Collaborative Research Environment: Promote mentorship, enrichment, and training opportunities for faculty and trainees.

By the Numbers

87 investigators from 29 departments and divisions across USC and CHLA, including the Keck School of Medicine, Viterbi School of Engineering, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, and more.
$72.3M in NIH funding (FY24), up from $17.7M in FY14, significantly expanding research impact at USC.
Over 60-fold return on pilot research investments, accelerating discovery and innovation.

Core Infrastructure & Shared Resources

DORI Clinical Research Center & Metabolic Assay Core: Located in the Clinical Science Center, supporting 24+ clinical-translational research programs across multiple departments.

Education & Enrichment

Annual research symposia, seminar series, and collaborative roundtables foster new partnerships and mentorship.
Undergraduate research programs are advancing the next generation of scientists.