Originally published byTuesday, February 11th, 2025
Rachel Goode, PhD, associate professor and Wallace Kuralt Early Career Distinguished Scholar at the UNC School of Social Work, is one of four winners of the American Diabetes Association’s Pathway to Stop Diabetes grants.
The grants provide more than $6.1 million to support breakthroughs in translation and clinical science, technology, care and potential cures in the field of diabetes.
Goode’s research is aimed at reducing disparities in Type 2 diabetes risk in Black women. The grant will allow her to conduct research to inform, create and pilot a culturally tailored program to reduce binge eating and prevent weight gain in emerging adulthood, a period of development spanning from about ages 18 to 29.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to focus on advancing the science on the prevention of diabetes in a group that is persistently underserved — Black emergent adults,” Goode said. “Young adults are on track to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at record levels. I am looking forward to the time, support and guidance this award will provide to equip me to move forward to help this next generation avoid this pending threat.”
Goode is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders in the UNC School of Medicine’s psychiatry department. Her research has long focused on developing, implementing and evaluating ways to treat obesity and eating disorders.
The Pathway program provides talented early-career scientists who demonstrate exceptional innovation, creativity and productivity to receive five to seven years of funding to explore new ideas without traditional project constraints. They are paired with world-renowned diabetes scientists who offer mentorship as well as scientific and professional guidance.