ADVANCE Testimonials

I joined ADVANCE in Spring 2025 as a master’s student in Clinical Research at Stanford. I have always been interested in understanding why Asians develop type 2 diabetes at lower BMIs compared to other ethnic groups. My thesis research focused on analyzing differences in exosomal miRNA from peripheral blood between patients with normal-weight diabetes (NWD) and overweight diabetes (OWD). Through ADVANCE, I had the opportunity to receive feedback from experts in diabetes and cardiovascular health, which further deepened my interest in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that may contribute to the higher prevalence of NWD in Asian populations. 

Now, as a medical student at Stanford, I have continued exploring these questions through the pathway analysis group as part of Specific Aim 2. Through weekly meetings and collaborative discussions, I have gained valuable exposure to genetic epidemiology, omics research, and the ways these tools can help us better understand the NWD phenotype. 

Attending the 2025 American Diabetes Association conference, presenting my work at the 2026 Stanford Diabetes Research Center Symposium, and participating in monthly ADVANCE meetings have all further exposed me to emerging frontiers in diabetes research. As a future clinician-researcher, I believe my experience with ADVANCE has played an important role in developing my skills in scientific communication, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

As a prior Interim Program Manager for ADVANCE during its foundational stages, I supported collaborations and facilitated meetings among Principal Investigators, researchers, and global experts dedicated to investigating diabetes pathways in Asian subgroups. Every member of this initiative shares a passion for addressing critical, unresolved questions at the intersection of diabetes research and health equity.

I am excited to see the new developments and findings that may redefine our clinical understanding of diabetes in specific communities. Now, as a medical student at Loma Linda University School of Medicine who remains actively involved with ADVANCE, this foundational experience continues to shape my clinical perspective, driving my commitment to delivering culturally nuanced, collaborative care to diverse patient populations.

As a research assistant, I have had the privilege of being involved with the ADVANCE Consortium since September 2025. My research focuses on understanding omics differences between normal-weight and overweight individuals with diabetes, with the broader goal of improving our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying disease heterogeneity. Being part of ADVANCE has been an invaluable component of my academic and professional development.

One of the most impactful aspects of the consortium has been the opportunity to engage with a diverse network of researchers who share a common interest in advancing diabetes research. ADVANCE brings together experts from multiple disciplines, creating a collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of ideas. Through these interactions, I have gained exposure to research questions that extend beyond my area of expertise, broadening my understanding of the field and strengthening my own work.

The mentorship available through ADVANCE has also been key in my development as an early-career researcher. Consortium investigators have provided guidance on both the technical and professional aspects of academic research. Their support has contributed significantly to my growth as a scientist and has helped me develop skills that will be valuable throughout my career.

I am grateful for the opportunities that ADVANCE has provided and for the collaborative community it has fostered. The consortium plays an important role in supporting emerging researchers while advancing knowledge that has the potential to improve diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment among Asian subgroups. I look forward to continuing our important work.

One of the most exciting parts of working with the ADVANCE Program is its breadth of expertise. We have experts in endocrinology, immunology, cardiology, nutrition, genetics, statistics, AI, and more, all working together toward a common goal of better understanding diabetes in Asian populations.

My role in ADVANCE is to help lead the Pathway Analysis working group. We look across the different studies that are being conducted—both within ADVANCE and across the world—to find the common biological themes being implicated in diabetes among Asian populations.

What makes this work challenging is the depth of data that is being generated. Modern technology can measure someone’s entire DNA sequence and thousands of molecules circulating in their blood, giving us millions of data points across thousands of individuals. Making sense of so much information is difficult, requiring cutting-edge statistical, computational, and AI tools. Our team combines these data and approaches together to illuminate the biology of diabetes in Asian populations.

While it brings challenges, this ocean of data is an enormous opportunity to understand diabetes at a deeper level than ever before. ADVANCE is working at the forefront of this research, and it has been an exciting project to collaborate on.

Since joining ADVANCE in January 2026, being part of the program has been a meaningful and formative experience in my research journey. As a postdoctoral researcher working at the intersection of AI, large language models (LLMs), and healthcare, I have especially valued the opportunity to engage with clinicians, geneticists, and epidemiologists who share a common commitment to understanding cardiometabolic disease in Asian and Asian American populations.

Through ADVANCE, I have gained a deeper appreciation for how interdisciplinary collaboration can turn complex biological and clinical questions into impactful research. The program has provided a supportive environment to exchange ideas, receive thoughtful feedback, and connect my work on AI and LLM-driven approaches with real-world health needs. I am grateful for the collaboration and scientific community that ADVANCE has fostered, and I look forward to contributing to research that can improve precision health for Asian populations.