{"id":17,"date":"2026-01-15T03:34:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T03:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2026-02-11T03:21:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T03:21:45","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"About DORI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--hero-primary horizontal-navigation\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--hero-primary\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper has-horizontal-nav\">\n\n          <div class=\"title-wrapper\">\n\n                  <div class=\"eyebrow-container\">\n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute (DORI)&nbsp;\">Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute (DORI)&nbsp;<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        \n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h1>About DORI<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n              <\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--link eyebrow-link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/support-us\/\"\n    aria-label=\"Read&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;Support&#x20;Us\">\n        Support Us\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n    \n      \n              <div class=\"horizontal-nav\">\n                      <div class=\"horizontal-menu-container\">\n              <button class=\"expand-menu\">\n                                  In This Section\n                                <svg class=\"menu\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n                  y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" d=\"M4,23h3v3H4V23z M4,16h3v3H4V16z M10,23\n                  h21v3H10V23z M10,16h21v3H10V16z M10,9h21v3H10V9z M4,9h3v3H4V9z\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n\n                <svg class=\"close\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\"\n                  viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <polygon fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"26,10.4 24.6,9 17.5,16.1 10.4,9 9,10.4 16.1,17.5\n                  9,24.6 10.4,26 17.5,18.9 24.6,26 26,24.6 18.9,17.5 \"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/button>\n\n              <nav\n  class=\"mc--menu mc--\"\n  >\n  <ul class=\"m--menu m--\">\n    \n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-20\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/\" >Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute (DORI)\u00a0<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/\" >About DORI<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-24 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/research\/\" >Research<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Research\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-30\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/research\/services\/\" >Resources<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-27\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/education-enrichment\/\" >Education &amp; Enrichment<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-71\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/faculty\/\" >Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-29\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/dori-symposium\/\" >DORI Symposium<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-32\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/news-events\/\" >News &amp; Events<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-110\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/contact\/\" >Contact<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <\/ul><!-- m--menu -->\n<\/nav>\n\n            <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--featured-block image-left white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--featured-block\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"text-image-container\">\n    <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <span>Funding Novel Research<\/span>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Our Story\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p>Established in 2012, the Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute was started through a generous $3M gift from the estate of Mr. Clifton Stewart, whose interest in diabetes and cancer prevention built the USC Clifton-Stewart Diabetes Research Laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, generous funds from the Robert C. &amp; Veronica Atkins Foundation have placed the DORI well on its way to becoming a leader in the field of diabetes and obesity research, treatment, and prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n\n          <div class=\"image-container\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/campus-e1768588175346-768x768.png\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/campus-e1768588175346-768x768.png 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n        alt=\"Keck Campus\"\n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;background: white;font-size: 1.25rem;line-height: 1.6;color: #4a4a4a\">\n<p data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"1039\">DORI was developed alongside a team of experts in population research, clinical research, and health and early life research. Currently, DORI includes a research base of <strong data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"755\">91 investigators across 29 departments and divisions<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"760\" data-end=\"803\">$69.5M in NIH research funding per year<\/strong>, reflecting nearly four-fold growth since FY14. DORI investigators conduct research spanning human studies, clinical trials, community-based research, and laboratory-based science in obesity, nutrition, diabetes, and metabolic disease.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50%;background: white\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-44 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/45million-300x124.png\" alt=\"$45 million details\" width=\"300\" height=\"124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/45million-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/45million.png 526w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p data-start=\"1041\" data-end=\"1432\">The goal of DORI continues to focus on studying high-risk patients and communities to understand obesity and diabetes throughout the lifespan, with an emphasis on how biological, environmental, social, and lifestyle factors contribute to disease risk and progression during critical periods of development.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1825\">This mission is reflected in DORI\u2019s interdisciplinary research programs, including basic science studies of adipose tissue and beta-cell biology, neuro-metabolic regulation of appetite and energy balance, nutrition science, health outcomes and implementation science, and emerging digital and precision health technologies.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/research\/\">Learn more about our Research<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <h2 style=\"text-align: center\">DORI at a Glance<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-scaled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-34\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-scaled.png\" alt=\"DOIR At a GLance\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-1024x640.png 1024w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-1536x960.png 1536w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-glance-2048x1280.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--featured-block white\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--featured-block\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"text-image-container\">\n    <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          What makes DORI unique?\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p data-start=\"168\" data-end=\"684\">Over the past decade, DORI has impacted many areas of scientific research, campus life, and healthcare policy. DORI has built a vibrant research environment centered on robust collaborations and shared Core facilities, helping to advance diabetes and obesity research and strengthen the Keck School of Medicine as a leader in academic medicine. This collaborative research environment has expanded across USC through the establishment of a unified vision and approach for obesity and diabetes research and education.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"686\" data-end=\"709\"><strong data-start=\"686\" data-end=\"709\">State &amp; Local Level<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"711\" data-end=\"1006\">The Institute is dedicated to assisting and strengthening efforts to develop effective strategies, including monitoring patients, informing policy, and creating interventions, to reduce the impact of diabetes and its associated medical complications on the health of individuals and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n              <div class=\"links-container\">\n                          \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/research\/services\/\"\n    aria-label=\"Read&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;Resources\">\n    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 12\"><polygon points=\"14 0 20 6 19 7 19 7 19 7 14 12 13 10.9 16.9 7 0 7 0 5 17 5 13 1 14 0\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-width=\"0\"\/><\/svg>    Resources\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n          <div class=\"image-container\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-Unique-768x768.png\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/DORI-Unique-768x768.png 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n        alt=\"Investigators and staff at DORI work to develop stronger ties with community health organizations and synergize efforts to strengthen clinical options for all people.\"\n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--stacking-cards has-link\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--stacking-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"outer-wrapper\">\n    <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n            <div class=\"header-container\">\n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Leadership &amp; Staff\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p>Directors &amp; Seminar Coordinators<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n              <\/div>\n      \n                <div class=\"cards-container\">\n              \n                  <div class=\"card\">\n\n                      <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                          \n                                                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <h3>Director<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.sc-ctsi.org\/kathleen.page\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kathleen Page, MD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n                      \n                          \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0000_Page-320x180.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0000_Page-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0000_Page-768x432.jpg 768w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0000_Page-320x180.jpg 320w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"\n        \n        alt=\"Kathleen Page, MD\"\n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                      \n                  <\/div>\n\n              \n                  <div class=\"card\">\n\n                      <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                          \n                                                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <h3>Co-Director<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kanoskilab.com\/people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scott Kanoski, PhD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n                      \n                          \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n        <a\n      href=\"https:\/\/kanoskilab.com\/people\"\n                >\n  \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0001_kanoski-320x180.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0001_kanoski-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0001_kanoski-768x432.jpg 768w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0001_kanoski-320x180.jpg 320w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"\n        \n        alt=\"Scott Kanoski, PhD\"\n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n      <\/a>\n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                      \n                  <\/div>\n\n              \n                  <div class=\"card\">\n\n                      <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                          \n                                                            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <h3>Co-Director<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.sc-ctsi.org\/thomas.buchanan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tom Buchanan, MD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n                      <\/div>\n\n\n                      \n                          \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0002_Buchanan-320x180.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0002_Buchanan-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0002_Buchanan-768x432.jpg 768w,https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/headshot-_0002_Buchanan-320x180.jpg 320w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"\n        \n        alt=\"Tom Buchanan, MD\"\n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                      \n                  <\/div>\n\n              \n          <\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/core-faculty\/\"\n    aria-label=\"Read&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;View&#x20;full&#x20;list&#x20;of&#x20;Core&#x20;Faculty\">\n    <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"21,12 27,18 26,19 26,19 26,19 21,24 20,22.9 23.9,19 7,19 7,17 24,17 20,13 \"\/><\/svg>    View full list of Core Faculty\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text two-column-lists light-gray\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Core Staff and Research Nurses<\/h2>\n<table class=\" alignleft\" style=\"height: 100%;width: 100%;background: #f4f3f1;border-collapse: collapse\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"5\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-125 headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Ayala-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Ayala\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Ayala-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Ayala.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Senior Project Manager<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj8y4eBwZLwAhXuGTQIHdwqAigQFjACegQIAhAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fkeckmedicine.academia.edu%2FChristinaAyala&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X7MVbVkp0G_fsI06ATfd7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christina Ayala, MPH<\/a><br \/>\nDiabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI)<\/td>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-131 headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Maniego-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Reina Maniego\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Head Research Nurse<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj8y4eBwZLwAhXuGTQIHdwqAigQFjACegQIAhAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fkeckmedicine.academia.edu%2FChristinaAyala&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X7MVbVkp0G_fsI06ATfd7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Reina Maniego, BSN, RN<\/a><br \/>\nDiabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-132 headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Enamorado-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Jacqueline Enamorado\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Research Nurse<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj8y4eBwZLwAhXuGTQIHdwqAigQFjACegQIAhAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fkeckmedicine.academia.edu%2FChristinaAyala&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X7MVbVkp0G_fsI06ATfd7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jacqueline Enamorado, BSN, RN<\/a><br \/>\nDiabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI)<\/td>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-133 headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Jiang-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Ryan Jiang\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Jiang-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Jiang.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Research Nurse<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj8y4eBwZLwAhXuGTQIHdwqAigQFjACegQIAhAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fkeckmedicine.academia.edu%2FChristinaAyala&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X7MVbVkp0G_fsI06ATfd7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ryan Jiang, BSN, RN<\/a><br \/>\nDiabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-134 headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Vasquez-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Breanna Vasquez\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Vasquez-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Vasquez.jpg 298w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Phlebotomist<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj8y4eBwZLwAhXuGTQIHdwqAigQFjACegQIAhAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fkeckmedicine.academia.edu%2FChristinaAyala&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X7MVbVkp0G_fsI06ATfd7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Breanna Vasquez, CPT I<\/a><br \/>\nDiabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI)<\/td>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-135 headshot\" src=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Morgan-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Ella Morgan\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Morgan-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Morgan-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/179\/2026\/01\/Morgan-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/td>\n<td><strong>Communications<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj8y4eBwZLwAhXuGTQIHdwqAigQFjACegQIAhAD&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fkeckmedicine.academia.edu%2FChristinaAyala&amp;usg=AOvVaw2X7MVbVkp0G_fsI06ATfd7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ella Morgan, BS<\/a><br \/>\nDiabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spacer \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spacer\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--full-width-cta light-gray\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--full-width-cta\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          How you can support us\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p>Your donation supports scientists, funds cutting edge research, and the training and education of students and young researchers. Any donation amount can provide seed funding in order to obtain NIH funding, bridge NIH funding gaps, or recruit world-class faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"links-container\">\n        \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"\/dori\/support-us\/\"\n    aria-label=\"Read&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;Learn&#x20;more&#x20;about&#x20;donations\">\n        Learn more about donations\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n              <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--spacer \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--spacer\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>About DORI - Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About DORI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-11T03:21:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/our-story\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/our-story\\\/\",\"name\":\"About DORI - Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-15T03:34:51+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-11T03:21:45+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/our-story\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/our-story\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/our-story\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"About DORI\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/\",\"name\":\"Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/dori\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"About DORI - Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"About DORI","og_url":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/","og_site_name":"Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute","article_modified_time":"2026-02-11T03:21:45+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/","url":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/","name":"About DORI - Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-01-15T03:34:51+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-11T03:21:45+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/our-story\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"About DORI"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/#website","url":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/","name":"Diabetes &amp; Obesity Research Institute","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/dori\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}