Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) established in 1996 by Dr. V. Mohan, internationally acclaimed diabetologist and research scientist and his wife Late Dr. Rema Mohan, internationally known specialist in diabetic eye disorders. MDRF was founded with the vision of providing a world class environment for research in diabetes and its complications. Within its short span of existence, MDRF has built up strengths in basic, clinical and epidemiological research. The quality of its research in diabetes and its complications is evidenced by numerous original publications in reputed peer reviewed journals. The institute also collaborates with several international and national centres.
A 100% non-profit organization; MDRF depends largely on private donors and government research support for its growth and activities. Its core departments have improved over the years with the addition of state-of-the-art facilities. The major strength of the institute lies in well-structured epidemiological studies that help the ongoing biochemical, genetic, molecular and cell-based studies. Another main area where we focus is the definition of individuals at risk of diabetes or its complications by identification of risk markers.
Research is a long-term investment where the fruits will be visible only years later. However what is very gratifying is that our research has had an immediate impact on the community. A tangible example of this is the building of parks leading to an increase in physical activity via life style modification in two colonies adopted by us for our epidemiological studies. The real measure of our work rests on its long-term ability to affect knowledge transfer and to have an impact on the health of the community.
Distinct Programs
There are various programs offered by MDRF. Numerous Ph.D. and summer internship programs are provided to students. At any given time, around 15 to 20 Ph.D. students get trained. Many of the students are from the universities in and around Tamil Nadu pursuing their Postgraduate degree in a diverse field related to diabetes. Here, students learn various research methods. They are trained to select a project depending on their interest and then work on it.
Many a time, students use the internship and short-term training programs to help them decide if they would like to pursue a Ph.D. Adding to this, Dr. V. Mohan says, “While most of our training programs are geared at Ph.D. students, at certain instances, special and shorter programs are offered to undergraduate and even to medical and high school students.”
Applaudable Achievements
Over the years, MDRF has pioneered in the field of diabetes while making technological advancement. This includes the use of electronic medical records to analyse large databases; the use of a simple diabetes risk score called as ‘MDRF Indian Diabetes Risk Score’ (IDRS) which helps in cost-effective screening of diabetes; use of artificial intelligence in screening for diabetic retinopathy; testing and validation of low-cost retinal camera made in India which helps to take diabetic retinopathy to screen patients in tier-2 and tier 3 cities of India.
Along with this, the institute, as well as the director, have received a number of awards. Dr. V. Mohan has received over 180 awards including the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Govt. of India in 2012 for his extensive contribution in the field of diabetes. He has also received the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award by the Medical Council of India; the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centenary Award from the Indian Council of Medical Research, the highest award for Biomedical research in India.
Dr. V. Mohan was conferred the Dr. Harold Rifkin Distinguished International Service in the Cause of Diabetes Award by the American Diabetes Association becoming the first Indian to receive this award. He was recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), Edinburgh.one of the highest awards for the scientists.
In addition, several of the alumni have gone to various countries like the US, UK, Germany and other countries. Many of them have become faculty at a prestigious institute or university as they are involved in several research studies.
