Board of Directors

Meet The Directors

The DRC Leadership Team

ALBERTO HAYEK, MD

Co-Founder and Research Scientist

ALBERTO HAYEK, MD

Alberto is a Co-Founder of the Diabetes Research Connection and serves on the Scientific Review Committee. He is Medical Director at San Diego Scripps/Whittier Diabetes Institute and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at UCSD Medical School.

ALLISON ORECHWA, PHD

Board Member

ALLISON ORECHWA, PHD

Allison is a scientist, mother, and Type 1 Diabetic with a passion for fueling innovations in health and health care. She brings to the board a strong background in research administration – previously for the U.S. Department of Education and currently for the University of Southern California.

AMY ADAMS

Co-Founder

AMY ADAMS

Amy’s son was diagnosed with T1D when he was 5 years old. She served on the Board of Directors and various committees for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Chicago chapter for 10 years and was a contributing writer to Insulin Free Times. This is her second term on the DRC Board, and she has served as the Lay Person Review Committee Chair since DRC’s inception

C.C. King scaled e1596236147790 600x600 1

CHARLES “C.C.” KING, PHD

Co-Founder & Scientist

CHARLES “C.C.” KING, PHD

Charles (C.C.) is a Co-Founder of the Diabetes Research Connection and is a Research Scientist who has helped define the molecular mechanisms of human embryonic stem cell differentiation from pluripotency toward pancreatic endoderm.

DAVID WINKLER, JD

Board Member

DAVID WINKLER, JD

David, a lawyer and entrepreneur, has had Type 1 Diabetes for over 60 years and also has several family members and friends with the disease. He is a founder of the Diabetes Research Connection and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer. David has been a tireless advocate and donor for diabetes research.

ERIC ZWISLER

President / Chair

ERIC ZWISLER

Eric, an internationalist and business entrepreneur, is committed to finding better treatments and a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. His son Taylor was diagnosed with T1D as a child. Eric is active in several T1D organizations, including most recently as board chair of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology.

ETHAN HARKLEROAD, CPA

Board Member / Finance Chair

ETHAN HARKLEROAD, CPA

Board Member

HEATHER PRADO, ESQ

Board Member

HEATHER PRADO, ESQ

Resourceful, business-minded, patient-centered attorney with over 13 years of in-house counsel experience in the medical device and MedTech industries including 6 years in diabetes care. Ms. Prado advises on a variety of matters relevant to product development and commercialization matters including regulatory, advertising and marketing, IP risk and strategy, privacy, M&A and licensing transactions, third-party collaborations, and supply chain contractual matters. Recognized as a creative and proactive business partner with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and a patient solutions-focused approach to advancing business objectives and effectively managing risk.

Kevin D’Amour, Ph.D.

Board Member

Kevin D’Amour, Ph.D.

Kevin D’Amour, Ph.D. brings more than 20 years of experience in diabetes and cell therapy research, including leading advances in stem cell science and contributing to technologies now advancing toward clinical application.

MATTHIAS VON HERRATH, MD

Scientist

MATTHIAS VON HERRATH, MD

As a renowned physician-scientist in the field of immunology and drug development for Type 1 Diabetes, Matthias is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work in understanding the molecular mechanisms of T1D and developing novel therapies for this disease. He currently serves as Scientific Director at Diabetes Research Institute in Florida, VP and Senior Medical Officer at Novo Nordisk overseeing the company’s research and development efforts in diabetes care, and is past Director for the T1D Research Center at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology. Matthias is optimistic about the promising new directions in diabetes research, stating, “It has never been a more exciting time!“

NIGEL CALCUTT, PHD

Co-founder and Research Scientist

NIGEL CALCUTT, PHD

Nigel is a Co-Founder of the Diabetes Research Connection and is a UCSD professor of Pathology whose research is focused on therapies for diabetic neuropathy and neuropathic pain.

RON LEIBOW, JD

Board Member

RON LEIBOW, JD

With over 40 years’ experience as a business lawyer at the international law firm Kay Scholer LLP, Ron has recently shifted to consulting for newly emerging companies and those undergoing business restructuring. His personal connections have made him acutely aware of the challenges faced by those living with T1D. Motivated by a desire to advance research towards a cure, he joined the DRC Board.

Ryan Blair

Board Member

Ryan Blair

Ryan Blair, a San Diego native and second-generation banker, joins the board with a personal connection to diabetes, inspired by family and friends impacted by the disease.

STEPHEN KORNICZKY, ESQ

Vice Chair

STEPHEN KORNICZKY, ESQ

Steve is the Partner and Former Intellectual Property Practice Group Leader at Sheppard, Mullin. He is also a trial lawyer with a focus on patent litigation. He is active in several professional, community, and charitable organizations including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), San Diego Chapter where he was a board member from 2008-2014. Steve’s niece was diagnosed with T1D twenty years ago.

VINCENZO CIRULLI, MD, PHD

Scientific Director

VINCENZO CIRULLI, MD, PHD

Vincenzo is a physician-scientist who has dedicated his entire career to studying a special class of proteins, called “cell adhesion molecules”, that regulate cell-to-cell interactions in virtually all tissues in the body, including pancreatic islets. A major goal of his lab is to understand the function of these proteins as biochemical signals of cell-to-cell communication in stem cell-derived islet progenitors, in developing and mature β-cells.

We grant up to $75,000 to support
each research project

Donor-Driven, Peer-Reviewed, Innovative Diabetes Research

How it Works

Scientists from all over the country submit their projects via our website. Our Scientific Review Committee (SRC), comprised of diabetes experts, meticulously reviews each proposal for its innovation, potential impact, and suitability. These dedicated professionals volunteer their time to support and nurture the next wave of Type 1 Diabetes researchers.

The journey from application to funding can be impressively swift taking as little as six months, compared to over a year for other funding agencies. We guarantee that 100% of our research funds are directly allocated to the scientists. For the sake of transparency, researchers are required to provide regular updates on their progress and share their final results on our website. Our funding comes from tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors are given the unique opportunity to choose which research projects they want to support, selecting from a variety of peer-reviewed proposals showcased on our site. It’s the extraordinary efforts of ordinary people that have the power to change the world. Your support could be the key to solving the diabetes puzzle that affects millions worldwide.

Scientific Review Committee

How it Works

DRC has distributed approximately
$4.1M in research seed-funding | $79M in research
follow-on funding

Donor-Driven, Peer-Reviewed, Innovative Diabetes Research

Play

Melanie Shapiro

Can the Inhibition of One Specific Body Gene Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?

Play

Dr J. Dwyer

Skip navigation Search Create 9+ Avatar image Taming a Particularly Lethal Category of Cells May Reduce/Eliminate the Onset of T1D

Play

Dr. Leonardo Ferreira

A Potential Second Cure for T1D by Re-Educating the Patient’s Immune System

Play

Dr. Ann Kahkost

Stakeholder-Engaged Precision Health for Longevity and Healthy Aging with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Play

Dr. Han Zhu's Project

Play

Dr. Sandra Mara

Ferreira's Project

We grant up to $75,000 to support each research project

#InnovativeDiabetesResearch

About the Diabetes Research Connection Board

The Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, comprised of individuals with diverse expertise and a shared commitment to eradicating Type 1 Diabetes. This esteemed group of scientists, legal professionals, financial experts, and individuals personally affected by diabetes ensures the strategic direction and ethical governance of the organization.

Each board member brings unique insights and experiences, contributing to the DRC's mission of funding groundbreaking research. Their collective passion and professional backgrounds are instrumental in driving innovation and fostering a collaborative environment for scientific advancement. The board's oversight guarantees that donor contributions are effectively allocated to the most promising research projects.

The Role of Scientists on the DRC Board

Scientists serving on the Diabetes Research Connection Board play a crucial role in identifying and championing cutting-edge research initiatives. Their deep understanding of scientific methodologies, current trends in diabetes research, and potential breakthroughs allows the DRC to strategically invest in projects with the highest likelihood of success.

These scientific leaders not only contribute to the review and selection of research proposals but also provide invaluable guidance on emerging scientific fields and potential therapeutic targets. Their expertise ensures that the DRC remains at the forefront of diabetes research, supporting innovations that could lead to transformative treatments and a cure.

Legal and Financial Expertise for Nonprofit Governance

The Diabetes Research Connection benefits significantly from the legal and financial acumen of its board members. Professionals with backgrounds in law and finance provide essential oversight, ensuring the organization operates with integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.

These experts navigate the complexities of nonprofit governance, compliance, and financial management. Their contributions are vital in maintaining donor trust, adhering to regulatory requirements, and optimizing the allocation of resources to maximize research impact and administrative efficiency.

Personal Connections to Diabetes on the Board

Many members of the Diabetes Research Connection Board are personally connected to Type 1 Diabetes, either as individuals living with the condition or as family members and friends of those affected. This lived experience fuels a profound sense of purpose and urgency within the organization.

These personal connections foster a deep empathy and unwavering dedication to the DRC's mission. They provide a powerful motivation for the board to relentlessly pursue advancements in research, understanding firsthand the critical need for better treatments and a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.