CDI Community Seminar Series: Connecting research to real life

In October 2025, the Caswell Diabetes Institute (CDI) launched its Community Seminar Series, a new initiative created to bring innovative diabetes, obesity, nutrition, and metabolic health research directly to the community. Developed in collaboration with CDI’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, the series brings together researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and community members for meaningful conversations about diabetes prevention, care, and whole-body health. A unique feature is the inclusion of individuals living with diabetes who share alongside the expert presentations, helping connect research to real-life perspectives.

Hosted at Ann Arbor District Library branches, the seminars not only provide evidence-based research and practical wellness strategies but also create opportunities for community members to share their experiences and help shape future research priorities. Attendees appear to enjoy this rare opportunity to connect with leading experts in a more relaxed setting.

This spring’s series, Eat Well, Live Well – Exploring Nutrition for Whole Body Health, highlights the important connection between nutrition and overall wellness. In April, Dr. Erica Jansen explored how diet and meal timing can affect sleep quality and daily health. Earlier this month, Dr. Ashley Gearhardt examined the science of addictive eating and the impact highly processed foods can have on the brain, behavior, and long-term health outcomes. U-M patient, author, coach, and diabetes advocate Safiyah Basir joined us to share her personal experience living with diabetes and offer a patient perspective on the conversation.

The final seminar of the spring series takes place today, May 21, at 6 p.m. Join us at the Ann Arbor District Library Westgate Branch where Dr. Karen Peterson, Chair of the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Associate Director of the Michigan Nutrition Obesity Research Center and Lindsey English, PhD candidate in Nutritional Sciences at the U-M School of Public Health and registered dietitian, will present Bad Things in Good Foods: How Diet and Hidden Chemicals Impact Our Health. Attendees will learn how hidden chemicals find their way into everyday foods and how diet and hidden chemicals such as lead, obesogens, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact health. 

Can't make it this evening? Stay tuned for future installments of the Community Seminar Series, featuring timely, thought-provoking topics that connect leading-edge research with everyday health and wellness.