Research
DORI brings together a diverse group of researchers spanning over 26 divisions & departments across the University of Southern California.
All of Us Research Program
The All of Us Research Program has a simple mission. We want to speed up health research breakthroughs. To do this, we’re asking one million people to share health information. In the future, researchers can use this to conduct thousands of health studies. Participants must be 18 years of age and over.
For more information, please visit the website, or email us at allofus@usc.edu.
BrainChild Study
This study looks at the risks for diabetes and obesity in children whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy. We hope to learn about how being exposed to diabetes in utero may affect risk for diabetes and obesity in children. In particular, we are interested in examining behavior and brain development in children whose mothers had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Brain Response to Sugar
This study is about how the brain responds to different types of sugars. Particularly, how the brain responds to glucose, fructose, and sucrose, and how this response may be different in young people who are overweight and obese compared to those who are normal weight.
Genetics of Liver Fat (GoLF) Study
The Genetics of Liver Fat (GoLF) Study is examining how differences in genes (the “blue print” for all inherited traits) may determine why some people are more likely to develop fat in their liver and how that fat level contributes to the risk for type 2 diabetes.
Mitochondrial Derived Peptides Research
The Cohen lab investigates the role that mitochondrial derived peptides play in obesity and diabetes and their possible use as novel therapeutics.
Pinchas Cohen, MD
Email: hassy@usc.edu
Office Phone: (213) 740-1354
Fax: (213) 740-5694
Mothers' and Their Children's Health Study (MATCH)
The MATCH Study examines how maternal stress may compromise parenting practices related to their children’s dietary and physical activity, and contribute to obesity risk over time.
Genevieve Dunton
Email: dunton@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-8224
Sedentary Behavior and Health Outcomes Study
This groundbreaking study will examine whether past energy balance behaviors predict the metabolic response to interrupting sitting time in healthy children. We will also study the effects of the social context and home environment on these energy balance behaviors and glucose homeostasis using ecological momentary assessment and continuous glucose monitoring.
This study will inform future targeted intervention strategies to prevention or ameliorate the consequences of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.
For more information, please email us at bbelcher@usc.edu
TIME Study
The TIME Study uses smartphones and smartwatches to collect intensive longitudinal data to examine how psychological and contextual factors affect the adoption and maintenance of physical activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviors across 12 months in young adults.
Genevieve Dunton
Email: dunton@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-8224
Specific Research Areas of Interest
To facilitate collaboration and guide the development of the Institute, the DORI developed an initial seven research categories, to provide a forum for topical discussion and the development of collaborative pilot studies.
These are by no means research “silos”, rather broad topics to be researched and attacked from diverse perspectives.
Researchers meet individually and through periodic Institute retreats that offer opportunities for collaboration, learning, and pilot study funding. As the Institute develops, additional research areas will be developed.
Neuroscience & Appetite Regulation
Complications
Maternal-Child
Behavior &
Intervention
Beta-Cell Biology & Type I Diabetes
Nutrition & Environment
Health Disparities
How you can support us
Your donation supports scientists, funds cutting edge research, and the training and education of students and young researchers. Any donation amount can provide seed funding in order to obtain NIH funding, bridge NIH funding gaps, or recruit world-class faculty.
Research Updates
Estimating hepatic glucokinase activity using a simple model of lactate kinetics.
Stefanovski D, Youn JH, Rees M, Watanabe RM, Ader M, Ionut V, Jackson AU, Boehnke M, Collins FS, Bergman RN. Estimating hepatic glucokinase activity using a simple model of lactate
Joint physical activity and sedentary behavior in parent-child pairs.
Dunton GF, Liao Y, Almanza E, Jerrett M, Spruijt-Metz D, Chou CP, Pentz MA. Joint physical activity and sedentary behavior in parent-child pairs. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Aug; 44(8):1473-80.
Managing diabetes in the middle-aged patient when loss of glycemic control occurs.
Peters A. Managing diabetes in the middle-aged patient when loss of glycemic control occurs. Diabetes Educ. 2012 Jul; 38(4 Suppl):13S-21S. Purpose The purpose of this article is to review the
High glucose and renin release: the role of succinate and GPR91.
Peti-Peterdi J. High glucose and renin release: the role of succinate and GPR91. Kidney Int. 2010 Dec; 78(12):1214-7. Diabetes mellitus is the most common and rapidly growing cause of end-stage
