Brent Bankosky: New American Diabetes Association Award Will Improve Research Efforts

NEW YORK, NY, July 03, 2012 (Press-News.org) The statistics regarding increases in obesity and diabetes in American citizens is one that troubles patients and medical professionals alike. Brent Bankosky, an accomplished executive who has worked in the pharmaceutical industry notes just how alarming these figures actually are. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the latest figures for 2010 indicate that over 35 percent of adults and 17 percent of children are obese. In addition, over 25 million Americans have diabetes and an astonishing 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes. In an effort to analyze the link between the microbiome and these conditions the American Diabetes Association and pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline have partnered to offer $1.5M in research awards to professionals working in the field.

According to a recent article from The Wall Street Journal these awards will be used to further understanding of the role of the microbiome in affected patients. The article notes, "The microbiome has long been recognized for its role in the gastrointestinal tract, but more needs to be done to evaluate the emerging regulatory role it plays in metabolism." For Bankosky, understanding this link is essential to advancing care for diabetic and obese patients across America.

Brent Bankosky states, "Understanding the role of the microbiome in these disease pathologies may lead to additional ways to treat some of the most prevalent metabolic diseases as well as lesser-known metabolic diseases." In addition, Vivian Fonseca, MD, President, Medicine & Science, American Diabetes Association told Wall Street Journal, "The American Diabetes Association and GlaxoSmithKline Research Award will help increase our knowledge of the metabolic changes that affect both glucose and cardiometabolic risk factors, and provide the insight we need to better understand the connection between diabetes and obesity."

While the ultimate goal of these research projects is to stop both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Brent Bankosky notes that there is a continued need to assess every angle of the disease before that goal is reached. This new award will help researchers assess an area of study that does not currently offer a lot of information.

On the topic of medical research involving diabetes and obesity, Brent Bankosky concludes, "There is a great deal of research within the medical industry and academia to study pathways involved in metabolic diseases, but this new research award program will help facilitate a better understanding of the role of the microbiome in those disease pathologies."

ABOUT:

Brent Bankosky is a business development and corporate strategy executive who has a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry. Through his work, he has assisted multiple companies in the development and strategy associated with pharmaceutical products. Additionally, Brent Bankosky has accrued global experience, allowing him to understand the international implications of innovations within the pharmaceutical industry, as well as work well with professionals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Website: http://brentbankosky.org