About

PMDI is a global effort to transform diabetes care by accelerating the implementation of precision medicine approaches that are grounded in clinical evidence and real-world relevance.
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Description

The Precision Medicine in Diabetes Initiative (PMDI) is a global effort to transform diabetes care by accelerating the implementation of precision medicine approaches that are grounded in clinical evidence and real-world relevance. PMDI is co-led by Imperial College London and the University of Copenhagen, with support from a growing network of global partners.

Objectives

  • Generate robust evidence through pragmatic clinical trials of precision diabetes strategies.
  • Support integration of precision approaches into real-world healthcare systems.
  • Promote equitable access to precision medicine tools across diverse populations.

Who are we?

The initiative includes academic researchers, clinicians, patients, policymakers, and health system leaders working collaboratively across regions including Europe, India, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific.

Co-Chairs

Shivani Misra

Division of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK
Shivani Misra is an Associate Professor, Wellcome Trust Investigator and Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London and an Honorary Consultant Physician in Metabolic Medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Dr. Misra leads a portfolio of studies that investigate the genetics, epidemiology, classification and treatment of early-onset type 2 diabetes, defined as a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in childhood or early-adulthood (<40 years).

Jordi Merino

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Jordi Merino leads the genomics and precision medicine research group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen. The group focuses on understanding the molecular heterogeneity that characterizes diabetes. Using advanced techniques like multi-omics profiling, wearable devices, and bioinformatic approaches, his team refines strategies for diabetes prevention and care, advancing the field of precision medicine for cardiometabolic diseases. Dr. Merino is the principal investigator in the European Innovation Council GLUCOTYPES porject and the EFSD-funded REMEDY-T2D project.

Executive Committee

Ronald MA

Ronald Ma

Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Professor Ronald Ma is an internationally recognized clinician-scientist specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, with a research focus on the genetics and epidemiology of diabetes and its complications. Through his leadership in multi-disciplinary cohort studies, and global advocacy, he advances precision medicine and drives impactful change in diabetes prevention and care across Asia and beyond.
Alka Kanaya

Alka Kanaya

University of California San Francisco, US
Dr. Alka M. Kanaya is a leading expert in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disparities, especially among Asian American and South Asian communities, through her work at UCSF. As Principal Investigator of the community-based MASALA Study and leader of innovative behavioral intervention trials, she drives evidence-based strategies to understand and reduce health inequities in diverse populations.
robert wagner

Robert Wagner

German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany
Professor Robert Wagner is a leading clinician-scientist in diabetes and metabolic research, known for his groundbreaking work in identifying novel subtypes of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Through his leadership roles at the German Diabetes Center and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, he advances precision prevention and individualized care for people with metabolic diseases.
Guillaume pare

Guillaume Paré

Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory, McMaster University, Canada
Dr. Guillaume Paré is a leading expert in cardiovascular genetics, biomarker discovery, and pharmacogenomics. His research combines high-throughput proteomics, genomics, and bioinformatics to uncover novel cardio‑metabolic biomarkers and polygenic risk predictors that enhance early detection and personalized prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Anna Louise Gloyn

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
Dr. Anna L. Gloyn is a leading expert in the genetics of diabetes, with over 25 years of experience translating genetic discoveries into precision medicine approaches. Her work at Stanford focuses on variant interpretation in monogenic diabetes, functional genomics of human islets, and advancing collaborative initiatives like AMP-CMD and HPAP to drive biological and clinical insights into metabolic disease.
lee-ling-lim

Lee-Ling Lim

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Dr. Lim is a Consultant Endocrinologist and Head of the Diabetes Care Unit at Universiti Malaya, with honorary roles at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Her expertise spans cardiometabolic medicine, combining epidemiology, molecular research, and implementation science to advance diabetes care, supported by leadership roles in global initiatives and a strong record of high-impact publications and awards.

Marie-France Hivert

Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
Dr. Marie-France Hivert is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, specializing in the origins and prevention of type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. As Principal Investigator of the Gen3G cohort and co-Principal Investigator of Project Viva, she leads studies that integrate genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors to understand metabolic health across generations.
Lilian

Lilian Mbau

Centre for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Kenya
Dr. Lilian Mbau is a medical doctor and public health specialist leading cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation efforts in Kenya. She focuses on patient education, community interventions, and developing cardiac care services tailored for low- and middle-income countries.
John Dennis

John Dennis

University of Exeter Medical School, UK
Dr. John Dennis is an Independent Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Medical School, specialising in precision medicine for type 2 diabetes. His research leverages clinical data to develop decision support tools that personalise treatment choices, aiming to optimise blood glucose control and minimise side effects.

Miriam S. Udler

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
Dr. Miriam S. Udler is an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, specializing in atypical and monogenic forms of diabetes. As founder of the MGH Diabetes Genetics Clinic and leader of genomic research initiatives, she advances the understanding of diabetes heterogeneity and applies genetic insights to improve diagnosis and precision care.

Saliesh Mohan

Institution
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Advisory Board

Chantal Mathieu

Department of Endocrinology, UZ Gasthuisberg, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
Professor Chantal Mathieu is a leading endocrinologist at KU Leuven and Chair of Endocrinology at University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium. She is also the President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), where she has significantly contributed to advancing diabetes research and care. Her research focuses on the pathogenesis and prevention of type 1 diabetes, including the role of vitamin D in immune modulation and beta-cell function. Professor Mathieu coordinates the INNODIA project, a European initiative aimed at preventing and intervening in type 1 diabetes .
Jose-C.-Florez

Jose C. Florez

Department of Medicine, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
Dr. Jose C. Florez is the Physician-in-Chief and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, overseeing 10 clinical divisions and 19 training programs. He is also a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, an Institute Member at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, focusing on the genetic underpinnings of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic traits
maria-tornes

Maria Hartmann Tørnes

Steno Diabetes Center Zealand, Denmark
Maria Hartmann Tørnes is a Diabetes Nursing Specialist at Steno Diabetes Center Zealand, Denmark. She is part of the regional unit at Holbæk Hospital, where she contributes to diabetes care and management. Her role involves providing specialized nursing support to individuals with diabetes, focusing on personalized care and education. She is also actively involved in patient advocacy, championing better support and resources for people living with diabetes

Troels Krarup Hansen

Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus
Dr. Troels Krarup Hansen is the CEO and Clinical Professor at Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Denmark, and a Professor at Aarhus University. His research focuses on the role of the innate immune system, particularly the complement system, in the development of diabetic complications such as kidney disease and cardiovascular issues. Dr. Krarup Hansen has been instrumental in fostering regional collaboration, notably through the establishment of a regional diabetes network in Central Denmark Region to optimize the use of diabetes equipment and enhance knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals.
Tai-Shyong

Tai E Shyong

Department of Medicine at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore
Professor Tai E Shyong is a leading endocrinologist in Singapore, specializing in precision medicine and diabetes care. As Chief Medical Officer of PRECISE, he drives genomic research to develop personalized treatments for metabolic diseases.
Mike-Trenell

Mike Trenell

Professor of Digital Medicine (Hon), Newcastle University, UK and CEO, Daiser, UK
Mike is a clinical digital specialist. Having focussed his early career in metabolism before retraining in digital strategy. He is a past former Diabetes UK Fellow and NIHR Senior Fellow. He was Director of the UK Health Intelligence Unit and led the UK National Diabetes Platform (free to 4.2m people). Today he is an Honorary Professor of Digital Medicine and CEO of Daiser, an AI health ecosystem.