Meet Our Team

Community Advisory Committee (CAC)

A group of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) or who are parents of children with CF works closely with the team to ensure the study is meaningful and prioritizes the CF community.

Our Research Team

Dr. Andrea “Andi” Kelly, MD, MSCE

Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Kelly has been caring for patients with cystic fibrosis who have diabetes and other endocrine issues since the mid-2000s.

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Dr. Tanicia Daley, MD, MPH

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

As a doctor who studies hormones and how they affect people with CF, Dr. Daley looks for ways to reduce the harmful effects of CFRD on those living with the disease.

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Dr. Maria Sukie Rayas, MD

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, University of Texas Health Sciences at San Antonio

Dr. Maria “Sukie” Rayas is a pediatric endocrinologist who cares for children and adults with CFRD at the University of Texas Health San Antonio.

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Dr. Amir Moheet, MBBS

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Minnesota

In Dr. Mohee’ts research, he studies the causes of CFRD and explores new ways to manage the condition, especially in people with cystic fibrosis who are overweight or obese.

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Dr. Christine L. Chan, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Colorado

Dr. Christine Chan’s research focuses on developing improved approaches for detecting diabetes in individuals with CF, including the use of advanced diabetes technologies.

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Dr. Katie Larson Ode, MD

Clinical Professor, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and University of Iowa Health Care

Dr. Larson Ode’s research focuses on why and how diabetes and abnormal blood sugar levels develop in people with CF.

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Rachel Walega, MS, ACRP-CP

Clinical Research Program Manager II, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Rachel has worked on clinical research projects for more than ten years and specifically on CF research projects for five years.

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The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has provided financial support for SPeCTRuM as part of its efforts to help all people with cystic fibrosis. Since 1955, the Foundation has worked closely with the CF community to help individuals living with the disease lead long, full lives. One way the Foundation is doing this is by funding research like SPeCTRuM. Another way is by giving specialized care through CF-accredited care centers. Through academic and industry funding, as well as the support of the Therapeutics Development Network, the Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization. Learn more at cff.org.

The Jaeb Center for Health Research’s (JCHR) mission aligns with SPeCTRuM’s goal of helping public health through research. This nonprofit center has designed and created studies like this project. JCHR has been learning and sharing new information about eye health and type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. As the research coordinating center, JCHR will be helping in several ways. We will direct the study, ensure sites have what they need, and monitor the data we receive. JCHR will also be the main institutional review board (IRB). An IRB makes sure that researchers are protecting the rights and safety of participants.