Dr. Michael C. Riddell

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

Honours & Awards