Prolific diabetes researcher Renu Kowluru, Ph.D., FARVO, was selected to serve on the American Diabetes Association’s Eye Health Interest Group Leadership Team. Dr. Kowluru is a professor and director of Translational Research in the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, and the Kresge Eye Institute.

“Their leadership teams consist of ADA professional members who have demonstrated notable achievements in and dedication toward specific areas of diabetes research and clinical practice, and I am truly honored to be representing the Eye Health Leadership team in this leading society,” Dr. Kowluru said. “I want to be closely associated with the ADA’s broader eye health initiative. My main goal is to provide overall direction, especially focusing on the research initiative. I plan to organize regular educational webinars and courses.”

Her research, supported by The Thomas Foundation and several R01-level grants from the National Institutes of Health, focuses on understanding the molecular mechanism of diabetic retinopathy, and the metabolic memory associated with its continued progression, specifically on the mitochondrial damage and the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of the disease. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of acquired blindness in working-aged adults, she said.

The American Diabetes Association is one of the largest professional societies, with nearly 20,000 health care professionals. Dr. Kowluru will serve a two-year term.