JDRF is sad to hear that Gerold Grodsky, a titan of type 1 diabetes research, recently passed away.

Dr. Grodsky made seminal contributions to T1D research that fundamentally changed our understanding of the disease. Specifically, his work uncovering how insulin is secreted from beta cells was foundational to the decades of research that has followed.

“Jerry is a legend,” said JDRF CEO Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D. “He was critical in our understanding of how the body makes insulin and how to better use it.”

In addition to these contributions, Dr. Grodsky was a cherished JDRF partner. For decades, he helped JDRF develop our research strategy; he peer-reviewed countless grants; and he served as a trusted sounding board and confidant.

“Dr. Grodsky was an incredible asset to JDRF for so many years,” said JDRF Chief Scientific Officer, Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D. “His scientific contributions are unassailable, and as a person, he was an incredible resource for every scientist who interacted with him. We will miss him dearly.”

In 1993, JDRF created the Gerold and Kayla Grodsky Basic Research Scientist Award, made possible by a gift from Gerold and Kayla Grodsky. This award recognizes a basic research scientist who has made outstanding pioneering contributions to type 1 diabetes research. Many of the preeminent minds in T1D have received this award, including Drs. Doug Melton, Lucienne Chatenoud and Emil Unanue.

In addition to creating the Gradsky Award, he was also the recipient of the 1984 JDRF David Rumbough Award. This award acknowledges an individual who has made outstanding achievements in the field of T1D that have significantly accelerated the JDRF mission.

Dr. Grodsky helped us get closer to a cure for T1D and made current therapies possible. JDRF sends our condolences to his family.

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