Lois Jovanovic, M.D., SDRI CEO & Chief Scientific Officer was honored by the Women Physicians Congress of the American Medical Association. Their “Physician Mentor Recognition Program” acknowledges physicians who share their wisdom, expertise and passion for medicine to inspire other physicians.

Physicians nominate a professional colleague or teacher who had an influence on their work and career. SDRI Senior Scientist, Angelina Trujillo, M.D., F.A.C.E., nominated Dr. Jovanovic for the award. She said, “Dr. Jovanovic has been an excellent mentor to many young physicians….she willingly offers her time and skills to enhance the careers of others.”    

Also in 2008, Dr. Jovanovic was honored by The Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (SEBM). Their “Mentorship Program” provides awards to encourage young scientists to pursue a career in biomedical research. Two of the three awarded scientists chose to work with Dr. Jovanovic. Erika Strohmayer, M.D. spent a week with Dr. Jovanovic and Dr. Trujillo to discover how holiday feasting can compromise blood sugar levels. In addition, she observed the progress of closing the loop to create an artificial pancreas, studies on inhaled insulin, and many of the other projects that are conducted at SDRI.

In April, Anita Banerjee, MBBS BSc, traveled to SDRI from England where she is completing a fellowship in endocrinology and diabetes. While at SDRI she analyzed preliminary data from a type 1 diabetes mellitus study in pregnancy. Under the guidance of Dr. Jovanovic, she was taken step-by-step through the study and then theorized on the causation of the results. Dr. Banerjee will apply the principles that she learned in California to ongoing studies on type 1 and type 2 pregnant women at Hammersmith Hospital in London, UK. According to Dr. Banerjee, “The mentor-mentee travel award has allowed me to gain hands-on experience with one of the greatest leaders in diabetes and pregnancy. The Institute is at the forefront of improving lives of diabetic patients…”