Krista Casazza, Ph.D., R.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences, has been named one of five winners of the 2012 Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) pilot and feasibility grant. More than 31 applications were received from across UAB.

Casazza received $50,000 for her one year study to evaluate the effects of prolonged sitting on inflammation and insulin sensitivity in overweight kids. The children will participate in the study on three occasions. Doug Moellering, Ph.D., an instructor in the department, is a collaborator on the project.  

The DRTC pilot and feasibility grant program was able to distribute $247,000 this year through the National Institute of Health funding award. The DRTC grant program has provided more than $1.7 million to support diabetes-related research at UAB. Grants have supported a total of 40 investigators in seven schools. The School of Health Professions has received a total of $229,000.