Ananta Addala, DO, is a physician scientist addressing disparities in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management and outcomes. Her research interests are at the intersection of T1D and inequities evaluating system-level and individual-level contributors to T1D disparities. Dr. Addala's longstanding research and clinical interests are to promote equitable care for youth with T1D informed by the biological, social, psychological, and systemic determinants of health.

Marissa Baudino, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist and assistant professor in the department of psychology at East Carolina University. Her research focuses on promoting youth and family adjustment to type 1 diabetes, increasing engagement in diabetes self-management behaviors, and improving health outcomes for people with type 1 diabetes. She has specific interests in supporting youth with type 1 diabetes and their families who reside in rural communities and promoting quality of life for young adults living with type 1 diabetes who are transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare.

April Blackwell is an aerospace engineer and person living with diabetes. Her mission is to push the limits of life with T1D and, on the journey, educate outward and advocate upwards, literally to the stars! Space-obsessed since age 5, but diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11, April continued pursuing her passion even in the face of an automatic disqualification to become a NASA astronaut. She hasn't given up on her ultimate dream, but now there is an extra challenge -- to be the first person living with T1D in space! She's a FFL first timer and over the moon to be presenting! You can follow her very nerdy (self-proclaimed) account on Instagram @NerdyApril. Ad astra per aspera!

Molly Cannon, MSN, CRNP, is a Clinical Research NP at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, specializing in Hyperinsulinism and Glycogen Storage Disease. In addition to working in research, Molly is a certified yoga instructor and a graduate of the Andrew Weil Pediatric Integrative Medicine residency. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of yoga, meditation and the endocrine system, and how complementary approaches can enhance both physical and emotional well-being. Molly is so excited to offer interactive yoga sessions as a way to rest, restore, and recharge at the Friends for Life Conference.

Daniel Cherñavvsky, MD, began his career in basic research at the University of Virginia (UVA) where he had the chance to publish his research as a co-author with a Nobel laureate researcher, Dr. Oliver Smithies. He continued his career as a clinical researcher at the University of Virginia-Center for Diabetes Technology (CDT) where he worked collaboratively with prominent investigators from Europe, South America and USA with the aim to bring Automatic Insulin Delivery (AID) technology to the home. He designed and conducted research projects for 20+ years using technology devices for the treatment and control of diabetes. His studies focused on (i) the effect of using AID in children, adolescents and young adults with T1D (ii) glycemic control using AID during exercise (iii) cognitive and behavioral aspects of children with T1D. He successfully obtained $1,700,000 to create a unique diabetes technology clinic at UVA. Another accomplishment was obtaining the necessary funds and support to run the pivotal clinical trial that led to the regulatory approval of Tandem Control IQ for 6-13 years old children. In 2016 he joined TypeZero as Chief Medical Officer. After the acquisition of TypeZero by Dexcom he worked in industry as Sr. Director Medical affairs at Dexcom. He recently rejoined the CDT at UVA where he continues his breakthrough research and development in diabetes technology with the aim to improve treatments and quality of life for people with diabetes. He has published more than 40 peer review articles and is the senior editor of the first edition of The Artificial Pancreas book. He also serves on the board of the International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes.

Julie Gettings, PhD, is the Clinical Director of Pediatric Psychology in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gettings is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and she specializes in using motivational interviewing to help people with achieving their health goals. Dr. Gettings is a passionate advocate for integrating mental health care into routine diabetes care. She created behavioral health programs within two pediatric diabetes centers - first at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2012 and then at CHOP beginning in 2015.

Allyson S. Hughes, PhD, is an expert in diabetes, disability, and health policy. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1995. She is an assistant professor at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in the department of Primary Care. Her goal is to elevate the voice of people with diabetes and their family members. She is a member of ADA's Health Disparities committee, the chair of the ADCES Research Committee, and a member of Diabetes Care's Editorial Board.

Laura Jacobsen, MD, is physician scientist and pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Florida. Dr. Jacobsen's research focuses on understanding the role of the immune system in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and improving clinical care and health outcomes for people with T1D. She has an interest in mechanisms of action of immunotherapies as well as biomarkers of efficacy and identification of clinical responders. Dr. Jacobsen is proud to serve as an investigator with TrialNet, the TEDDY study, the Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes, and the T1DX-QI Collaborative. She also serves as the associate fellowship program director for the UF pediatric endocrinology fellowship program and values the opportunity to train future generations.

Jan Kavookjian, PhD, MBA, FAPhA, FADCES, has a health psychology/behavior sciences focus in outcomes research, with 25 years of training and studying motivational interviewing (MI), an evidence-based communication skills set and approach aimed at collaborative, empowering conversations about self-management behaviors. She is faculty in an outcomes research department at Auburn University and has published her work in journals that include Pediatrics, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, and others. Her research includes diabetes behavior change and MI training for interprofessional practitioners; recent work developed a user-friendly MI training and materials for parents of youth with T1D looking for ways to talk positively about self-management goals.

Jessica Kichler, CDCES, PhD, CPsych, is a Clinical and Health Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Windsor. She specializes in clinical intervention research related to psychosocial adjustment and coping with type 1 diabetes in youth and families. She previously worked as a diabetes psychologist and certified diabetes care and education specialist at two academic medical centers (Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center) in the United States for almost 15 years before moving to Windsor, Ontario. Currently, she is also interested in how to support college-aged students with type 1 diabetes most effectively transition into young adulthood.

Rayhan Lal, PhD, MD, MPH, is pediatric and adult endocrine faculty at Stanford. Rayhan grew up in the California bay area and always wanted to be an engineer. He has had type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. He studied electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. His two younger sisters were enrolled in DPT-1, were found to be antibody positive, and developed type 1 diabetes. In an effort to help all his brothers and sisters with diabetes, Rayhan decided to switch career paths and pursue clinical medicine at the University of California, Davis. Rayhan could not decide whether to take care of children or adults with diabetes and so did both. He completed a four year residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Southern California, working with the underserved at Los Angeles County Hospital. Rayhan then completed an adult and pediatric endocrine fellowship at Stanford. As an engineer and physician-scientist with diabetes, his primary research interest is the design, development, and testing of new diabetes technology and therapies with his mentor, Dr. Bruce Buckingham. Rayhan collaborates with many members of the Stanford Diabetes Research Center, industry and the open source diabetes community in an effort to bypass the biological, technological and human factor limitations of existing devices.

Alanna Landry, RN, CDE, has spent over 28 years enjoying her role as an RN,CDE at Markham Stouffville Hospital paediatric diabetes program. She has spent recent years focusing on research studies investigating the transition of youth to adult care, leading quality improvement projects, and is presently co-chair of the provincial diabetes network steering committee to improve care of children and families in Ontario. Alanna has attended FFL conferences in the teen program for over 15 years. The Friends for Life conference is the most magical week of the year and reinvigorates her passion to continue to support and educate the families with diabetes she is honored to care for.

Brynn Marks, MD, MSHPEd, is a pediatric endocrinologist, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, and Director of Technology of the Diabetes Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Marks completed her pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital and also pursued a Master in Health Science Professions Education. Her experiences living with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years have shaped her research interests, which center on promoting equal access to diabetes technologies and developing innovative approaches to diabetes technology education for clinicians and youth and families. Dr. Marks serves on the ISPAD Executive Board and several American Diabetes Association Committees.

Jennifer McVean, MD, is a pediatric endocrinologist and Medical Affairs Director at Medtronic. Prior to joining Medtronic in January 2022, she was an Associate Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Minnesota. After completing her undergraduate work at Northwestern University, she attended medical school at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. McVean completed a pediatric residency at the University of Colorado and a pediatric endocrinology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was in clinical practice in Minnesota and Wisconsin for 8 years prior to transitioning to academic medicine. Her clinical and research interest is type 1 diabetes. Dr. McVean’s passion for type 1 diabetes stems from her own diagnosis at age 11.

Pantea Minnock, BS, RN, MSN, CPNP, is a nurse practitioner in the Diabetes Center for Children at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-Behavioral Health and Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She then received a Bachelor and Masters of Science Degree in Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been working with children and teenagers with diabetes since 2001. Her areas of interest and expertise include clinical research, diabetes technology and new therapeutics, and reducing disparities in patient access and clinical outcomes. She is also passionate about been learning mindfulness and teaching wellness tools to patients, families, and care providers.

Henry Rodriguez, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist who has focused on the prevention and management of type 1 diabetes (T1D), has been a FFL faculty member for 10-years. He has been a lead investigator in national and international T1D studies including the NIH-funded DPT-1, TrialNet, EDIC, and the Helmsley Trust-funded T1D Exchange, and studies on beta-cell preservation in type 1 diabetes and expanding the number of FDA-approved medications for children with T1D and T2D. He serves on the ADA Scientific Oversight, National Advocacy. and Legal Advocacy Committees, the Safe at School, and Membership Advisory Working Groups, and he is President of the local ADA Community Leadership Board. He is also a long-standing supporter on diabetes camps.

Janet Rodriguez, RN, CDCES, CRA, a longstanding FFL faculty member, is an experienced nurse, educator, and research coordinator with nearly one decade of expertise in diabetes technologies. Janet became a registered nurse in 1986. Initially concentrating in pediatric critical care, she migrated to nursing quality assurance, prior to dedicating herself to diabetes. Her passion is empowering people of all ages living with diabetes. She specializes in diabetes technologies and leads the Diabetes Technology Clinical and Clinical Research Programs at the University of South Florida Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Tampa. She is a proud member of the ADA’s Safe at School Working Group and long-time diabetes camp nurse.

Lauren Turner, MSc, is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University under the supervision of Dr. Michael Riddell. Her research primarily revolves around investigating the effects of exercise on glucose levels using continuous glucose monitoring and other body-worn sensors in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Lauren is currently conducting various clinical trials at York University with a focus on exercise and hybrid closed-loop therapy, and the impact of diabetes and glycemia on muscular endurance. Having lived with T1D since 2018, Lauren is not only a dedicated runner and marathoner, but also passionate about empowering fellow individuals with T1D to enhance their glucose management during physical activity.

Jessie J. Wong, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist and clinical researcher in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Stanford University. She has received grants from NIDDK and ADA to support her program of research that focuses on family-based interventions to offset adolescent risk and enhance glycemic and mental health outcomes as well as preventing risk among adults living with diabetes.