Advance the knowledge in the field of diabetes and its complications, while improving the clinical care and life of all patients with diabetes in the United States and throughout the world.
“Our success is possible only because of the clinical research team’s very hard work and dedication. I am very fortunate to work with such an outstanding group.”
- Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Clinical Interests
Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui's clinical interests include diabetes and diabetes complications, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and general endocrinology.
Research Interests
Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui has concentrated her scholarship and research efforts on translational and clinical research focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of diabetes and prediabetes complications. The design and execution of her clinical trials are used to test novel therapies that target mechanisms for preventing chronic complications in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. As a result of her efforts, Dr. Pop-Busui's research has been funded by divisions of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), private foundations, and industries. View Dr. Pop-Busui's research publications on PubMed.
Our Team
Volunteer for Clinical Research
Clinical research is vital to advancing medical knowledge and patient care. Through clinical research, we are able to discover new treatments that are effective in slowing or reversing diabetic complications, resulting in an improved quality of life for people with diabetes.
The team discusses working together towards their goal of finding new therapies to prevent diabetic complications. Also, two research participants talk about their experiences participating in clinical trials.
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, please contact one of our clinical research coordinators:
Aaron Burant
Brehm Tower, 5th Floor, SPC 5714
1000 Wall Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 615-0552
[email protected]
Brittany Williams
Domino's Farms, Lobby G, Suite 1632
24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive
Ann Arbor MI 48105
Phone: (734) 998-4969
[email protected]
Current Trials & Studies
Type 1 Diabetes
Incidence and Predictors of Acute and Chronic Complications in Patients with Diabetes and Severe COVID-19
This study involves all patients of the Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Cohort (M2C2) that were admitted to the University of Michigan with severe COVID-19 infection. We previously collected baseline samples from these individuals when they were in the hospital. In these participants, we observed a significantly higher risk for severe acute complications in patients with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Thus, we want to understand what drives this risk, as well as to understand the long term complications of COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes. The objectives of this study are to invite all surviving M2C2 participants for an in-person visit, to measure inflammatory markers and renal, neural, and cardiovascular damage biomarkers. We will also comprehensively phenotype participants for diabetic complications outcomes including diabetic kidney disease, diabetic neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Participants will also be requested to fill out questionnaires to assess psychosocial metrics. This study will generate the knowledge base required for much needed, and immediately applicable clinical guidelines for both risk stratification of patients at disease onset, but also management of current and future COVID-19 T2D patients after hospital discharge. If you were enrolled in M2C2 while in the hospital being treated for COVID-19, have diabetes, and are interested in participating, please contact Aaron Burant at [email protected] or (734) 615-0552.
JDRF Center of Excellence - Metabolic Phenotypes and Heterogeneity in Disease Burden Risk in Type 1 Diabetes - This is a center grant focusing on patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to comprehensively study and understand risk factors and protective mechanisms for diabetes chronic complications; susceptibility to hypoglycemia and improvement with the use of advanced diabetes technologies; the heterogeneity in the risk of chronic complications; and minimize the psychosocial impact of type 1 diabetes. Information: Jacob Reiss at [email protected] or (734) 763-0177.
C-Myc - Predictive and Diagnostic Biomarkers for Diabetic Foot Ulcers – C-Myc and Phosphorylated Glucocorticoid Receptor - This is a multi-center observational cohort study of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) to develop and validate potential tissue-based biomarkers that predict complete wound healing. Eligible and consented participants will begin standard of care treatment after collection of tissue specimens from the wound’s edge. An additional tissue specimen will be collected at 4 weeks. Tissues will be tested for c-myc and phosphorylated glucocorticoid receptor (p-GR) levels. Participants will be followed weekly for up to 12 weeks or until complete wound healing (whichever occurs first). One final assessment 2 weeks after complete wound healing will occur to confirm healing. Information: Aaron Burant at [email protected] or (734) 615-0552.
Type 2 Diabetes
Incidence and Predictors of Acute and Chronic Complications in Patients with Diabetes and Severe COVID-19
This study involves all patients of the Michigan Medicine COVID-19 Cohort (M2C2) that were admitted to the University of Michigan with severe COVID-19 infection. We previously collected baseline samples from these individuals when they were in the hospital. In these participants, we observed a significantly higher risk for severe acute complications in patients with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Thus, we want to understand what drives this risk, as well as to understand the long term complications of COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes. The objectives of this study are to invite all surviving M2C2 participants for an in-person visit, to measure inflammatory markers and renal, neural, and cardiovascular damage biomarkers. We will also comprehensively phenotype participants for diabetic complications outcomes including diabetic kidney disease, diabetic neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Participants will also be requested to fill out questionnaires to assess psychosocial metrics. This study will generate the knowledge base required for much needed, and immediately applicable clinical guidelines for both risk stratification of patients at disease onset, but also management of current and future COVID-19 T2D patients after hospital discharge. If you were enrolled in M2C2 while in the hospital being treated for COVID-19, have diabetes, and are interested in participating, please contact Aaron Burant at [email protected] or (734) 615-0552.
C-Myc - Predictive and Diagnostic Biomarkers for Diabetic Foot Ulcers – C-Myc and Phosphorylated Glucocorticoid Receptor - This is a multi-center observational cohort study of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) to develop and validate potential tissue-based biomarkers that predict complete wound healing. Eligible and consented participants will begin standard of care treatment after collection of tissue specimens from the wound’s edge. An additional tissue specimen will be collected at 4 weeks. Tissues will be tested for c-myc and phosphorylated glucocorticoid receptor (p-GR) levels. Participants will be followed weekly for up to 12 weeks or until complete wound healing (whichever occurs first). One final assessment 2 weeks after complete wound healing will occur to confirm healing. Information: Aaron Burant at [email protected] or (734) 615-0552.
Support Our Work
Constant discoveries and new collaborations move us closer to finding new treatments and new ways to prevent diabetic complications. We want to continue our progress to improve the lives of our patients and the millions of others living with diabetes. Many costly resources are required to mount and sustain vital clinical trials. We appreciate the generosity of donors that fulfill this need and make this life changing research possible!
How to Donate
To make a gift, please visit the Department of Internal Medicine Collegiate Professorship in Diabetes Complications Fund(link is external) online giving page.
If you are interested in learning about other philanthropy opportunities, please contact the Department of Internal Medicine Development Office:
Department of Internal Medicine, Development Office
Phone: (866) 860-0026
Email: [email protected]
Contact Us
Academic Office of Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui
Brehm Tower, 5th Floor, SPC 5714
1000 Wall Street
Ann Arbor, MI 4810
[email protected]
