Mohammed K. Ali, DirectorTabia Henry Akintobi, Associate Director, MorehouseMichael L. Best, Associate Director, Georgia TechErin Ferranti, P&F Program Co-DirectorJessica Harding, Core B Co-DirectorJeff Mills, Program DirectorFrancisco Pasquel, Regional Core Co-DirectorRakale Quarells, Core C Co-DirectorNicoleta Serban, Regional Core Co-DirectorMegha Shah, Core C Co-DirectorHui Shao, Core B Co-DirectorGuillermo Umpierrez, Enrichment Co-DirectorK.M. Venkat Narayan, P&F Program Co-DirectorMary Beth Weber, Associate Director, Emory; Enrichment Co-Director

Leadership

GCDTR leadership brings together scientific, institutional, administrative, and program expertise to guide the Center’s strategy and translate priorities into measurable results. Together, this team oversees the research cores, strengthens cross-institutional partnerships, supports investigators, and ensures that the Center’s resources are aligned with its renewed mission across rural health, the life course, precision diabetes, and technology-enabled translation.

Center scale

Built for regional reach and measurable impact

5Cores & programs

Specialized expertise, infrastructure, and research development

160+Members

A multidisciplinary research community spanning the Southeast

10Partner institutions

Academic, clinical, community, and technology reach

Center leadership

Turning diabetes research into better care across Georgia and the Southeast

Scientists and clinicians from leading research institutions who guide our research cores, fund new investigators, and connect discoveries to the clinics and communities that need them.

Center Director

Mohammed K. Ali

Emory University

Tabia Henry Akintobi

Associate Director, Morehouse

Morehouse School of Medicine

Michael L. Best

Associate Director, Georgia Tech

Georgia Institute of Technology

Erin Ferranti

Pilot & Feasibility Co-Director

Emory University

Jessica Harding

Core B Co-Director · Data, AI & Design

Emory University

Jeff Mills

Program Director

Emory University

Francisco Pasquel

Core D Co-Director · Regional Technology

Emory University

Rakale C. Quarells

Core C Co-Director · CONNECt

Morehouse School of Medicine

Nicoleta Serban

Core D Co-Director · Regional Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology

Megha Shah

Core C Co-Director · CONNECt

Emory University

Hui Shao

Core B Co-Director · Data, AI & Design

Emory University

Guillermo Umpierrez

Enrichment Co-Director

Emory University

K.M. Venkat Narayan

Pilot & Feasibility Co-Director

Emory University

Mary Beth Weber

Associate Director, Emory · Enrichment Co-Director

Emory University

Center staff

The team that keeps the research moving

Center staff support communications, education, finance, reporting, coordination, and the day-to-day research infrastructure that keeps the Center responsive to investigators and partners.

Myra C. Nwafor

Associate Director for Communications

Emory University

Wendy Gill

Program Director, Education and Events

Emory University

S. Haider Bukhari

Associate Director for Finance

Emory University

Translation with purpose

From stronger research infrastructure to better diabetes outcomes

The Center’s leadership, cores, programs, members, and partners are organized to generate rigorous evidence, prepare investigators, accelerate adoption of effective interventions, improve prevention and control, expand access, and help reduce the burden of diabetes complications across the Southeast.