Scott Soleimanpour

Scott Soleimanpour, MD is the Larry D. Soderquist Professor in the Departments of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. He serves as Director of the Michigan Diabetes Research Center and Associate Director of the Elizabeth Weiser Caswell Diabetes Institute, overseeing T1D Basic Research and Islet Biology Programs. His research focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial life cycles, particularly mitophagy's role in pancreatic beta cell dysfunction and diabetes pathogenesis. Dr. Soleimanpour leads studies using cellular models, mouse genetics, and human islet analyses to identify novel therapeutic targets for diabetes treatment.

Key research areas include:

• Genetic causes of pancreatic beta cell failure in type 1 diabetes
• Role of mitochondrial dynamics in diabetes
• Molecular function of Clec16a, a diabetes susceptibility gene

He directs multidisciplinary teams at the Michigan Diabetes Research Center and Caswell Diabetes Institute, advancing translational research from basic discoveries to clinical applications. His lab's work bridges metabolic physiology and clinical endocrinology, emphasizing mitochondrial quality control in beta cell survival.

Dr. Soleimanpour's leadership includes directing major research infrastructure at the University of Michigan, fostering collaboration across disciplines to address diabetes through innovative cellular and genetic approaches.