As a scientist, Dr. Carolyn Cummins has spearheaded a number of discoveries that continue to advance our understanding of metabolic conditions like diabetes. Novel treatments for such conditions require an understanding of complex molecular interactions between cells in the body. Dr. Cummins aims to do just that by examining how cells react to environmental signals and the resulting effects on metabolism. The implications of these discoveries are critical for early drug development.
Dr. Cummins began her training as an undergraduate student at McGill University where she was interested in analytical chemistry. She showed an early interest and talent for research, and went on to complete a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Cummins became an Associate Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto. Today, in this role, she leads a basic science laboratory, conducting investigations in drug discovery and pharmacology while mentoring future researchers and clinicians alike.
Specifically, her group examines the role of molecules called nuclear receptors. Nuclear receptors play a key role in helping a cell communicate with its external environment. These molecules are potential drug targets as they are often involved in metabolic conditions like diabetes and fatty liver. One of the nuclear receptors that Dr. Cummins is currently investigating, the liver X receptor, can regulate levels of cholesterol and sugar in the body. Her research also suggests that the liver X receptor is involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that may lead to vision loss. These findings suggest that developing new medications to target the liver X receptor may help alleviate symptoms for people living with diabetes.
Outside of her work in the lab, Dr. Cummins is a renowned lecturer and educator. Recently, she won the 2020 Professor of the Year Award from the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy as a result of her accomplishments in teaching. Each year, she equips pharmacy students with an expert understanding of how medications are absorbed into the body.
For her graduate students, Dr. Cummins is a diligent supervisor who ensures that her trainees are supported in their academic and research endeavours. Her mentorship has allowed them to explore different avenues of science and build diverse skills, training the next generation of scientists, medical editors, and clinicians.
Her excellence in research has not gone unnoticed. Recently, Dr. Cummins won a research grant from the Joint Canada-Israel Health Research Program to study molecules involved in regulating the liver’s response to fasting and how this can impact metabolism. Her submission was one of six teams awarded the funding in a cohort of 44 research proposals.
As she continues to explore the mysteries of diabetes, Dr. Cummins is an exemplar of researchers paving the way for future diabetes treatments. Her dedication to discovery and her commitment to her students helps build a promising future in the field of metabolism.
— Written by Peter Chengming Zhang