The Diabetes Center of Excellence at UMass Chan Medical School has appointed Tammy T. Nguyen, MD, PhD, assistant professor of surgery, as the new George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation Term Chair in Diabetes.
Dr. Nguyen will succeed Sally C. Kent, PhD, who has held the position since 2020. She will officially assume the chair on July 1.
In her new role, Nguyen plans to build on Dr. Kent’s achievements while bringing her own perspective. “I aim to continue the progress made by Dr. Kent and add my own unique touch to the role. My lab will focus on diabetes complications, particularly its impact on immune function, responses to diabetic foot infections, and strategies to prevent amputations,” Nguyen explained.
Nguyen’s research also includes community outreach programs designed to improve public access to care and bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world application.
“We are hopeful this award will accelerate our work in both translational science and community prevention programs, ultimately helping more people with diabetes,” she added.
A transition ceremony was held on Thursday, May 22, with key attendees including Mark Fuller, chairman and treasurer of the Fuller Foundation; Janice Fuller, vice chairman and assistant treasurer; trustee David Hallock; and Dr. David M. Harlan, co-director of the Diabetes Center of Excellence.
The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation established the chair in 2015, providing $375,000 over five years to support scientific research. Nguyen, who also serves as the medical director of the Vascular Surgery Lower Extremity Wound Clinic at UMass Memorial Medical Center, is the third junior faculty member to hold the Fuller Foundation Term Chair.
Kent, who held the chair before Nguyen, noted the importance of such support for advancing research. “The generosity of the award gives researchers time to solidify their work, gather data, and secure additional funding,” Kent said. “We are deeply grateful for the Fuller Foundation’s ongoing support of our lab and Tammy’s research.”
Nguyen joined UMass Chan in 2020 after completing her residency there. Originally from Southern California, she earned her MD/PhD from the University of Utah School of Medicine, where she specialized in biochemistry.
Related Topics:
