Dr. Emily K. Sims is an accomplished physician-scientist dedicated to advancing the field of type 1 diabetes (T1D). She completed her medical training at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, followed by a pediatrics residency and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine, where she now serves as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics with tenure.
Dr. Sims’ research, funded by the NIH and T1D foundations, focuses on applying approaches across the translational spectrum to underlying mechanisms, biomarkers, and practical applications of beta cell dysfunction in T1D. Her work has established the role of beta cell microRNAs and extracellular vesicle cargo in islet dysfunction. She led efforts defining immature insulin (proinsulin) as a biomarker of beta cell stress in T1D. This has led to projects defining proinsulin’s potential to predict T1D onset and assess disease-modifying therapies. Dr. Sims led a pilot clinical study showing that inhibiting the beta cell polyamine synthesis pathway could improve beta cell function in T1D. She is now spearheading a larger multi-center clinical trial to test this therapy in recent-onset T1D. Additionally, she has made significant contributions to understanding T1D progression and treatment effects through glucose and insulin secretion data. Her research on the immunotherapy drug teplizumab demonstrated its ability to improve beta cell function, supporting FDA approval for T1D prevention. Recognized as an international expert on T1D screening and prevention, she has given numerous educational talks in these areas and contributed to consensus efforts on early-stage T1D monitoring and immunotherapy clinical guidelines.
Finally, Dr. Sims is committed to service, serving as treasurer of the Immunology of Diabetes Society, Associate Editor at Diabetes Care, and holding leadership roles at IU’s Wells Center for Pediatric Research and the IU Medical Scientist Training Program, where she is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of researchers.
