LONDON, Ontario- Lawson Health Research Institute's Dr. David Hill
was honoured with the 2009 Frederick G. Banting Award on October 22,
2009. The national award recognized Dr. Hill for his significant
contributions to preventing diabetes in Canada, and was presented to him
at a special awards ceremony during The Canadian Diabetes
Association's Annual General Meetings held last week in Montreal.
"It is a great honour to receive the Banting Award from an
organization that has steered my scientific career, and allowed me to
function as an advocate for Canadians living with diabetes," said Dr.
Hill. "Sharing the vision of the Association with colleagues who
manage their diabetes on a daily basis has had a profound effect on the
way my own research has evolved. The working partnership between
scientists, health professionals and volunteers is the strength of the
Association, and the springboard to future success."
Currently, Dr. Hill is investigating the ability to manipulate stem
cells to become beta cells. Beta cells, which reside in the pancreas,
are critical to maintaining our health. In a person without diabetes,
beta cells deliver stored and manufactured insulin in the right amount
at the right time to keep blood sugars normal. In type 1 diabetes, beta
cells eventually produce no insulin at all. In type 2 diabetes, the beta
cell is working overtime, stressed because of insulin resistance in
surrounding muscle and fat cells.
If Dr. Hill is successful at manipulating stem cells to become beta
cells, he could increase the supply of tissue available for human islet
transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes, and also the
possibility of inducing targeted regeneration of new beta cells within
the pancreas removing the need for transplantation. Other projects Dr.
Hill is involved with include determining why low birth weight is a
major risk factor for type 2 diabetes in adulthood, and the ways in
which environmental factors, such as nutrition might trigger or protect
against diabetes.
"On behalf of the Canadian Diabetes Association's National Awards
Committee, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Dr.
David Hill, winner of the 2009 Frederick G. Banting Award," said
Arlene Kuntz, Chair, National Awards Committee. "The tremendous
contributions made to the Association by our dedicated volunteers are
key to the success of the programs and services we provide to Canadians
living with diabetes."
Dr. Hill has published over 200 scientific papers. In addition to his
role as Researcher and Scientific Director at Lawson, he serves as the
Integrated Vice President Research, London Health Sciences Centre and
St. Joseph's Health Care, London, and a Professor, Departments of
Medicine, Physiology & Paediatrics, at the Schulich School of Medicine &
Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario.
For more information, please contact:
Julia Capaldi, Communications Consultant
Lawson Health Research Institute
519-646-6100 ext. 61098
Julia.capaldi@lawsonresearch.com
www.lawsonresearch.com
