Robert S. Sherwin, MD, CNH Long Professor of Medicine, has received the Edward H. Ahrens, Jr. Distinguished Investigator Award from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS) for decades of research that has had far-reaching effects on our understanding and treatment of diabetes.
The award recognizes senior investigators whose research has had a major impact on clinical practice and health care for the benefit of the public. Early in his career Sherwin, associate dean for clinical and translational sciences and director of the Diabetes Research Center, pioneered the glucose clamp technique to measure insulin sensitivity and went on to play a key role in the development of insulin pump therapy, which was a major improvement in the care of diabetes patients. His work also laid the groundwork for the landmark NIH-funded Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), which demonstrated that insulin therapy reduces the microvascular complications associated with diabetes.
Sherwin’s research activities span basic research as well, focusing on glucose counter regulation and the immune mechanisms leading to type 1 diabetes. His work has shown that the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) plays a critical glucose-sensing role. His lab is also examining the mechanism mediating defective glucose counter regulation after intensive treatment of diabetes - the major cause of severe hypoglycemia in patients - and have generated plans for several novel therapeutic interventions to reduce hypoglycemia risk.
On the type 2 diabetes front, his research has shown that the brain processes fructose and glucose differently, suggesting that fructose may promote overeating. This may explain why the increases in fructose consumption in recent years have paralleled the increasing prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
During his long and distinguished career, Sherwin guided young researchers as they navigate their careers. He has mentored dozens of investigators, many of whom have gone on to renowned careers themselves. As director of the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, which is supported by a NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award, he is focused on training the next generation of clinical scientists across the spectrum of care.