Front of the hospital

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of twenty-two type 1 diabetes TrialNet International Clinical Centers at the forefront of type 1 diabetes research. Led by Bill Russell, MD, the TrialNet team at Vanderbilt is dedicated to preventing type 1 diabetes and stopping disease progression by preserving insulin production before and after diagnosis.

Our Team

bill russell

Bill Russell, MD

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Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP

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Brenna Hammel, BSN, RN, CPN

Kim Rainer

Kim Rainer, RN

Regional Affiliates

Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute
411 E Chestnut St Louisville, 40202 United States
University of Tennessee/ Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
50 N Dunlop St, 7th Floor PCRU Memphis, 38103 United States
AM Diabetes & Endocrinology Center
3025 Kate Bond Rd Bartlett, 38133 United States
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Med School Wing E Rm 128, Chapel Hill, 27599 United States
Virginia Commonwealth University
1001 E. Marshall Street, Room P1-006, Richmond, 23298 United States
Ballad Health
400 N State of Franklin Rd Johnson City, 37604 United States

Research Studies

The following studies are actively recruiting participants. Please click on the study title to learn more. For those interested in participation, contact us for more information.   

Risk Screening Risk Screening for Relatives

If you have a relative with T1D, you may be eligible for risk screening that can detect the early stages of T1D years before symptoms appear. More

Monitoring Monitoring

Depending on your risk screening results, you may be eligible for monitoring. We’ll monitor you for disease progression and let you know if you become eligible for a study. More

Prevention Study ATG Prevention Study (STOP-T1D)

TrialNet is testing a low dose of the immunotherapy drug anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to see if it can delay or prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D) in people ages 6 to 34 who have a 50% risk of clinical diagnosis (Stage 3) within 2 years. Risk is defined by having two or more autoantibodies and abnormal blood sugar (Stage 2), plus at least one high-risk marker (based on test results). In an earlier TrialNet study for people newly diagnosed with T1D, low-dose ATG preserved insulin production and improved blood sugar control for 2 years. Details

Long Term Long-Term Follow-up

If you are diagnosed with T1D while participating in one of our prevention studies, we’re still here for you. You can continue to receive personal monitoring while helping us learn more. More

Newly Diagnosed JAK Inhibitors Newly Diagnosed Study (JAKPOT T1D)

TrialNet researchers are testing two different treatments – abrocitinib and ritlecitinib – to see if either or both can preserve insulin production in people (ages 12-35) newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (Stage 3 T1D). Abrocitinib and ritlecitinib are in a new class of autoimmune treatments called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Details

Newly Diagnosed Rituximab-pvvr / Abatacept Newly Diagnosed Study (T1D RELAY)

TrialNet is testing rituximab-pvvr and abatacept in people (ages 8-45) who were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to learn if using both treatments, one after the other, maintains the body’s ability to make insulin. By adding abatacept after rituximab-pvvr, researchers predict more people will experience prolonged beta cell function during and possibly after treatment. Details