Dr. Michael C. Riddell

Professor
School of Kinesiology and Health Science
Faculty of Health
York University

Biography

My research interests center on the effects of exercise and stress on diabetes and metabolism. While we know exercise is good for people living with diabetes, since it promotes good health, it can sometimes make blood sugar control more difficult. Most of the time, prolonged moderate-intensity aerobic exercise causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), while more intense and competitive exercise can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). My lab tries to develop new strategies and therapies for people living with diabetes to exercise more effectively and with better blood sugar control. We have both pre-clinical (animal models) and clinical studies (human participant volunteers) of diabetes, exercise, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. In one project, we are determining if a new therapy (ZT-01, Zucara Therapeutics) that targets the pancreatic alpha cells can help keep blood glucose from falling too low after individuals with diabetes take their insulin or exercise. In another study set off campus at Centricity Research (formerly LMC Diabetes and Manna Research), we are testing new glucose sensors and other technologies that help people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes exercise with better glucose management.

Education

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Medical Science (Physiology)
University of Toronto (2002)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Medical Sciences (Physiology/Pharmacology)
McMaster University (2000)

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Biological Sciences (Human Kinetics)
University of Guelph (1992)

Honours & Awards

2013

Faculty of Health Dean's Established Career Research Award

2007-2012

York University Faculty of Health Merit Awards

2004-2006

York University Faculty of Pure and Applied Science Merit Awards

2005

York University Office of Research Administration Incentive Grant

2001

Canadian Diabetes Association-Hamilton Branch Expo Lecture Award

1996-1999

McMaster University Medical Sciences Graduate Scholarship