Researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are scheduled to present their latest findings in diabetes research and treatment at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) flagship conference, the 86th annual Scientific Sessions, taking place June 5-8 in New Orleans.
The ADA’s Scientific Sessions is the world’s largest diabetes meeting, convening an expected audience of over 12,000 leading physicians, scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals from around the globe. The premier diabetes meeting will feature the latest scientific findings in diabetes and obesity. Leading experts will share findings from research on prevention, care and cures at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Over 40 million Americans are living with diabetes, and as rates continue to climb, this year’s sessions will spotlight the latest cutting-edge advancements driving progress in diabetes and obesity research and management.
Key themes of this year’s sessions include:
Researchers from Pennington Biomedical will present their latest findings through oral presentations, symposiums, debates and poster sessions at the conference.
“Pennington Biomedical is proud to contribute to the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions, alongside fellow leading researchers from around the world,” said Dr. Jennifer Rood, Interim Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director. “The breadth of research being presented reflects our continued commitment to discovery, collaboration and translating science into meaningful health outcomes for patients and communities.”
Poster presentations will feature research from Heidi Batdorf, Dr. Wentao Cao, Dr. Ji Suk Chang, Victoria Maria Datta, Dr. Carrie Elks, Elizabeth Heintz, Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, David Mendoza, Dr. Hongyan Sun, Aleah Verret and Lindsey Yoo.
Featured sessions include Dr. Eric Ravussin and Dr. Donna Ryan participating in the debate “Muscle Loss in GLP-1 Receptor Agonist–Induced Weight Loss: A Real Concern or Much Ado about Nothing?”; Dr. Heike Munzberg presenting “Humoral Interoception: Leptin Circuits and Energy Homeostasis”; and Dr. Melinda Stephens presenting “Metabolic Programming during Development and Aging.”
Oral presentations will include Analisa Taylor’s “Impaired Skeletal Muscle Insulin Signaling Drives MIRO1 Accumulation and Defective Mitochondrial AKT Translocation” and Dr. Thomas Martin’s “Elevated Interferon-Gamma Response Signatures Observed at Single-Cell Resolution in Islet Beta Cells from Donors with Type 1 Diabetes.”
Learn more about the ADA’s 2026 Scientific Sessions. For more information, please email the ADA’s Scientific Sessions press team at SciSessionsPress@diabetes.org .
About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. Pennington Biomedical has the vision to lead the world in promoting nutrition and metabolic health and eliminating metabolic disease through scientific discoveries that create solutions from cells to society. The center conducts basic, clinical and population research, and is a campus in the LSU System.
The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes over 600 employees within a network of 44 clinics and research laboratories, and 16 highly specialized core service facilities. Its scientists and physician/scientists are supported by research trainees, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians and other support personnel. Pennington Biomedical is a globally recognized, state-of-the-art research institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
For more information, see www.pbrc.edu .