Here, the latest news from The Diabetes Research Institute: 

1. Collaborator Dr. Per-Olof Berggren from the Karolinska Institute together with DRI/UM researchers Drs. Alejandro Caicedo, Rayner Rodriguez-Diaz and Midhat Abdulreda were co-authors of a study that demonstrates how the nervous system stimulates pancreatic islets in living organisms. The research team also included Drs. Damaris Molano, Camillo Ricordi, and Antonello Pileggi. The study was published in the prestigious journal Proceedings from the National Academy of Science.  
2. The current issue of JDRF Countdown includes an article about intensive diabetes management programs “across the pond” compared to those in the U.S. The article includes Dr. Luigi Meneghini speaking about the DRI’s Mastering Your Diabetes program. 
3. The announcement about Natalie Geary, M.D., joining the DRI Foundation as executive vice president was picked up in almost 300 media outlets.  
4. Last month Hayden Blaylock, longtime DRI supporter and father of Florida Board Member Crystal Blaylock, received a prestigious honor the Mental Health America. The resulting article included information about the Blaylocks’ generous support of the DRI and its effort to find a cure through cell therapies. 
5. Following this year’s successful Empire Ball, media coverage continues, including this article in BisNow Real Estate.
6. LPGA Champion and DRI Patient Ambassador Michelle McGann was the special guest to kick off this year’s PGA Museum of Golf Speaker Series. Several articles resulted from the announcement, which included her affiliation and support of the DRI, including on CNN.com: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-900280 
7. Our upcoming Pleasures of the Palate dinner in South Florida welcomes back acclaimed chef Norman Van Aken, who helped create this event more than a decade ago. Event coverage has appeared in several outlets. 
8. During the holidays, our friends in Pennsylvania held a fundraising event “Singing for the Cure” to benefit the DRI. One of the organizers, singer Kelly Jo Wise, who has a son with type 1 diabetes, was a guest at the studios of WTAJ Central Pennsylvania Live to speak about the event and perform.