UDMRC Seminars & Events
Seminars & Events
The Utah Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center supports several interdisciplinary community-building activities including seminar series, research and outreach symposia, and research interest groups.
Join us on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 for the DMRC 2025 Rising Stars at the University of Utah in partnership with the Mountain West Prevention Research Center (MW-PRC). This is a multi-departmental effort, aligned with the University of Utah's synergistic approach to amplify voices and foster connections. The DMRC supports and unifies scholars who are committed to careers in metabolic health across the translational spectrum.
Announcing our 2025 DMRC Fall Retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in the S.J. Quinney College of Law. This all-day event is for all DMRC community members (faculty, trainees, and staff) and includes both internal and external speakers, as well as a breakout session and poster session.
On the registration form, you can mark your interest in presenting a poster or lightning talk. We will follow-up directly with those who are interested, and provide information on how to submit your abstract. Register here.
Please note full details including a speaker lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
2024 Diabetes and Metabolism Research Retreat
The Utah Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center community held their 2024 Symposium on Wednesday, September 11. This event had external keynote addresses from Kivanç Birsoy, PhD and Michael Harris, PhD, internal research presentations, trainee lightning talks, and a poster session.
2023 Diabetes and Metabolism Research Retreat
The Utah Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center community gathered for our 2023 Symposium on Thursday, September 21. This event featured external keynote addresses from Matthew O’Brien, MD, MSc and Kathryn E. Wellen, PhD, internal research presentations, trainee lightning talks, and a poster session.
2022 Diabetes and Metabolism Research Retreat
In September 2022, members of the Utah Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center community came together for our first in-person event in 3 years, with external keynote addresses from Jean Schaffer, MD and Bethany Kwan, PhD, MSPH, internal research presentations, trainee lightning talks, and a poster session. Please note a full recording of the event is available to view here.
2021 Diabetes and Metabolism Virtual Research Recharge
In the fall of 2021, the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center Community gathered to explore cutting edge research from University of Utah faculty and trainees. Due to COVID-19, all activities were online. See the program of events and learn more about the 2021 symposium.
2020 Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center and Driving Out Diabetes Initiative Fall Retreat
In the fall of 2020, the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center Community gathered to explore cutting edge research from University of Utah faculty and trainees. Due to COVID-19, all activities were online, but DMRC members enjoyed the opportunity to host speakers from all over the country in professional development panels. See the program of events.
Seminars in Metabolism (SIM)
The Seminars in Metabolism is a weekly lecture series that hosts external speakers, research in progress seminars, and student journal club. This seminar is on Thursdays at 4pm via zoom.
Email sim@lists.utah.edu for more information.
Health Behaviors Seminar Series (HBSS)
The Health Behaviors Seminar Series is designed to foster interdepartmental collaboration and engagement in research related to health behaviors, especially as it relates to diabetes and obesity prevention and management. The series includes a monthly seminar. The seminar is held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 12pm.
Sponsored by the UDMRC and the Driving Out Diabetes, a Larry H. Miller Family Wellness Initiative, this monthly series features both internal and external speakers and is open to all faculty, trainees, and staff across the University of Utah to attend.
Email hbss@lists.utah.edu for more information.
Metabolism Research in Progress (RIPs) Meeting
An interdisciplinary, weekly meeting to present new and ongoing research projects and to receive feedback from peers. The Metabolism RIPs meets weekly on Mondays at 9am in the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics. For more information, contact Brittany Bellows (brittany.bellows@hsc.utah.edu).
Leadership
Scott Summers, PhD
Distinguished Professor and Chair
Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology
Email: scott.a.summers@health.utah.edu
Jared P. Rutter, PhD
HHMI Investigator
Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry
Email: rutter@biochem.utah.edu
Contact Us
Bridget Hughes, PhD
Director, Research Program Development
Senior Vice President of Health Sciences, Research Unit
Phone: 801-585-9304
Email: bridget.hughes@hsc.utah.edu
Emily Kay
Senior Manager, Diabetes Strategic Initiatives
Senior Vice President of Health Sciences, Research Unit
Phone: 801-448-6325
Email: emily.kay@hsc.utah.edu
Samantha Weeks, BS
Events & Communications Manager
Senior Vice President of Health Sciences, Research Unit
Phone: 443-417-3711
Email: samantha.weeks@hsc.utah.edu