CloseMeet The Staff
The dedicated team at Diabetes Research Connection
Christine Rhoads
Executive Director
Christine Rhoads
Executive Director
Christine joins DRC with over 20 years of non-profit development experience, including 13 years in the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research field. “The tremendous progress I’ve seen over the last decade in advancing T1D cures and improving T1D management inspires and motivates me. I’m delighted to join this dedicated team of caring people who work tirelessly to advance breakthroughs and solve new pieces of the complex diabetes puzzle. I have hope of seeing T1D eradicated in my lifetime and will join you in celebrating when that vision is realized!”
Andrea Partida
Administrative Assistant
Andrea Partida
Administrative Assistant
Andrea’s background in administration, medical billing, and over 15 years of experience in fundraising for various youth non-profit organizations, makes her a great asset to our DRC team. “I am proud to be a part of the dedicated DRC family and look forward to collaborating with this enthusiastic team to fund research to cure T1D.” In her free time, Andrea enjoys pickleball with her husband and friends, staying active in our beautiful city, and family time with her two grown sons and adorable rescue dog, Trudy.
Josie Watkins
Marketing & Development Coordinator
Josie Watkins
Marketing & Development Coordinator
Josie’s journey into the nonprofit world was influenced by her father, who dedicated over 35 years as a CEO to a charity organization. His commitment to serving the community had always inspired her to follow in his footsteps. With an extensive background in marketing and a deep-rooted passion for making a positive impact, Josie is dedicated to furthering the mission of Diabetes Research Connection. In her free time, she finds joy in spending time with her dog, embracing an active lifestyle through yoga, hiking and spending time outdoors, and exploring her culinary passions.
Lauren Grove
Interim Research Grant Coordinator
Lauren Grove
Social Media Intern
Lauren was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of six and has been a strong advocate for diabetic research since then, volunteering as a JDRF Youth Ambassador and participating in out-reach programs to educate others on T1D. She has worked as a marketing consultant for several non-profits since she was in high school, specializing in areas such as children’s health, workplace justice, community development, and medical research. She graduated from Stanford University in 2023 and plans to attend law school in 2025, where she hopes to fight Big Pharma’s unjust high insulin prices.
We offer up to $75,000 in funding for every research project.
Each project selected by our committee is eligible to receive up to $75,000 in funding, providing the essential resources needed for groundbreaking research in diabetes care, treatment, and finding a cure.
Our Active Research Projects
We grant up to $75,000 to support each research project
#InnovativeDiabetesResearch