Research Advancing Kentucky: Finding affordable diabetes solutions
Researchers at the University of Kentucky play an important role in advancing the health, well-being and future of our Commonwealth.
Much of that work is done with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). That support allows our researchers to find answers to many of the critical health issues facing Kentuckians.
Kaval Chhabra, Ph.D., is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Chhabra is an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences in the UK College of Medicine and is affiliated with the Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Research Center.
Chhabra’s research focuses on how the brain, kidneys and pancreas sense glucose levels to regulate whole-body glucose and energy balance. The goal is to uncover new mechanisms and therapeutic targets to treat metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity.
“Kentucky has a higher diabetes and obesity rate than the national average. These chronic disorders cost the state about $5.5 billion. My cutting-edge research on diabetes and obesity may discover efficient and affordable treatments for Kentuckians,” said Chhabra. “This will improve their lives and help fulfil UK’s mission to advance Kentucky by providing Kentuckians with latest treatment options that will reduce the burden of diabetes and obesity.”
Chhabra and other members of the research community shared the importance of NIH-funded research at UK in this video series from Research Communications.
Learn more about each featured researcher.
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More from this series Research Advancing Kentucky
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