David Blodgett, PhD: Type 1 Diabetes Patient to Scientist
David is unique among UMass Memorial diabetes patients in that he holds a PhD in biomedical sciences, is a faculty member at Babson College, and conducts research within the Diabetes Center of Excellence at UMass Chan Medical School. His journey began as a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at three years old.
He doesn't remember not having diabetes, and believes that it can be managed and controlled if people "stay on top of it." He remembers the "old diabetes technology" of test strips and early blood glucose meters. That's why David is a big fan of the newest diabetes technology, that “make it easier to predict what's going to happen and to know what's currently happening.”
David has worn an insulin pump since middle school and progressively taken more control of his diabetes, eating habits, and athletic endeavors. He never felt deprived of sports, travel, and fun activities as a child, and he certainly doesn’t feel that way today.
Dr. Blodgett's research focuses on studying pancreatic beta cells and understanding what makes them unique. His work in the Harlan Lab is instrumental to the breakthrough scientific discoveries being made at the UMass Chan Diabetes Center of Excellence.