Addressing chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and related comorbid conditions is a pressing public health priority and has become a current funding priority. To advance research in this area, faculty across Pitt Health Sciences have formed the Metabolic Disorders, Obesity, and Diabetes Clinical Research Collaborative (MOD-CRC).

Established in Spring 2025 by Department of Medicine faculty members Ann-Marie Rosland and Kathleen McTigue, MOD-CRC connects colleagues whose work addresses the healthcare needs of people living with, or at risk for, metabolic disorders. The initiative unites longstanding Pitt research communities, such as the DOM Obesity Task Force, DOM/SPH Epi Healthy Lifestyle Workgroup, the Caring for Chronic Disease Research Center, and researchers in diabetes prevention and self-management education, into a broader collaborative network.

The Collaborative’s virtual kick-off in May 2025 drew 22 participants from eight departments and schools, who discussed meeting formats and priorities for the group. An in-person session in August featured remarks from Dr. Dhiraj Yadav, DOM Vice Chair for Clinical Research, and a work-in-progress discussion of a member’s funding proposal.

MOD-CRC now includes 34 faculty and staff from the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Pharmacy, as well as colleagues from UPMC, the VA Pittsburgh Health System, and Pitt’s Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships. Through regular meetings, the Collaborative aims to foster collaboration, provide a forum for works in progress, support grant development, and advance clinical research to improve the prevention and management of metabolic disorders, obesity, and diabetes.

MOD-CRC is open to any Health Science researchers who are interested. For more information or to join the contact list, please reach out to MODCollaborative@pitt.edu.