$55M in external funding
Research
Our team
Dana Dabelea MD, PhD
Associate Dean of Research, Conrad M. Riley Distinguished Professor, Director (LEAD Center)
- Colorado School of Public Health - Office of the Dean
- Department of Epidemiology
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity & Diabetes Center
Dr. Dana Dabelea is the Conrad M. Riley Distinguished Professor of epidemiology, professor of pediatrics, and director of the Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Dabelea has focused on the rising rate of type 2 diabetes in youth, and is the author of one of the first papers to highlight this trend. Originally from Romania, she trained as a physician diabetologist, completed a clinical science PhD, and then went on to spend two years of postdoctoral studies at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) where she focused on diabetes research among the Pima Indians. It was there that she became interested in the rising rates of type 2 diabetes, particularly in youth. Dr. Dabelea's research looking at diabetes during pregnancy led her to believe that a life course approach to diabetes with a specific focus on pediatric diabetes, could increase the likelihood of identifying early risk factors for the disease, as well as its progression, before chronic complications can develop.
Areas of Expertise
- Lifecourse epidemiology
- Pediatric obesity
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes prevention
- Native American health
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- Postdoctoral Fellowship Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health Diabetes Epidemiology and Field Studies Epidemiology, Phoenix, AZ, 1997-1999
- PhD, Clinical Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania, 1992-1997
- Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, 1991-1994
- MD, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, 1984-1990
Resumes/CV:
Awards
- 2017 Kelly West Award in Diabetes Epidemiology, American Diabetes Association
- 2017 Elizabeth Gee Memorial Award, University of Colorado
- 2014 Graduate School Mentoring Award, CU Anschutz Medical Campus
- 2013 Conrad Riley Distinguished Professor, Colorado School of Public Health
- 2010 Excellence in Faculty Research, Colorado School of Public Health
Affiliations
- Chair, Scientific Planning Committee, American Diabetes Association, 2021-2023
Our focus
Our faculty and students conduct research on population-level disease prevention, health promotion, health policy, and more. We have a tradition of excellence in research and the application of that knowledge through public health practice and service. Our experienced faculty share their research with community leaders, policymakers, and fellow researchers to better inform the public, respond to emergencies, and provide counsel on emerging health issues facing communities.
Our research- and practice-focused centers specialize in a wide range of important public health topics—including diabetes epidemiology, cancer prevention, and statistical consulting—and are nationally, if not internationally, recognized for
their work. Our Center for Global Health is the only World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Promoting Family and Child Health in the Americas. We’re also home to nationally-funded research centers including the Colorado Integrated
Food Safety Center of Excellence, one of six centers of its kind funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center, one of 10 centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration
Agency; and the Center for Health, Work & Environment (one of 10 centers of its kind funded by the CDC).
Quick facts
600+ publications
(18% increase from 2021)Top 20 in NIH funding for SPHs
Featured projects
The Program Management Office for the NHSPI is based at ColoradoSPH. The team studies health system readiness and community preparedness for
large-scale emergencies and hazardous events, tracking progress at
national, state, and local levels across the U.S.
The Carlton Research Group uses multi-disciplinary approaches to understand the ways in which social and environmental conditions—from climate change to urbanization—impact infectious diseases. They focus on both emerging infectious disease threats and infectious diseases on the edge of elimination.
Resources
Colorado School of Public Health
CU Anschutz
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Aurora, CO 80045
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