NEW YORK — As the global race to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) intensifies, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) has reaffirmed its commitment to academic mentorship and scientific innovation. The organization recently concluded its 2026 summer research internship program, a strategic initiative designed to inject fresh perspectives into the T1D research landscape while training the future leaders of the biomedical field.
n
The 2026 cohort, comprised of five high-achieving students from diverse academic disciplines, spearheaded projects ranging from business development and global funding analysis to the standardization of cell therapy protocols. By integrating these "fresh eyes" into their core operations, Breakthrough T1D aims to accelerate the transition from laboratory discovery to clinical application.
n
Main Facts: A Strategic Pipeline for Innovation
n
Breakthrough T1D’s mission remains singular: achieving a world without type 1 diabetes. However, the path to this goal is multifaceted, requiring expertise in immunology, data science, public health, and venture philanthropy. The 2026 internship program was structured not merely as an educational exercise, but as a functional extension of the Research department’s strategic goals.
n
The Research program at Breakthrough T1D is tasked with identifying scientific gaps, fostering relationships with global investigators, and investing in the most promising therapeutic avenues. This year’s interns were embedded within these high-stakes environments, contributing to the Industry Development and Discovery Partnerships (IDDP) program, the Early Detection portfolio, and the Cell Therapy team.
n
“Training the next generation isn’t just about career development,” the organization stated in its annual review. “It’s about diverse expertise and encouraging interest in our common goal. The more minds we have thinking about T1D, the better.”
n
Chronology: From Recruitment to Implementation
n
The 2026 program began in the early spring with a rigorous selection process, seeking candidates who possessed both technical proficiency and a personal or professional drive to solve the T1D puzzle. By the time the summer intensive commenced, each intern was paired with a senior mentor—ranging from Ph.D. scientists to public health experts—to guide their contributions to ongoing organizational milestones.
n
Throughout the summer months, the interns moved through three distinct phases:
n
- n
- Onboarding and Landscape Analysis: Understanding the current state of T1D research and the specific challenges facing their assigned departments.
- Data Acquisition and Synthesis: Conducting original surveys, literature reviews, and database construction.
- Strategic Presentation: Translating complex findings into actionable frameworks for the Breakthrough T1D leadership.
n
n
n
n
The program culminated in late August with a series of executive-level presentations that provided the organization with new tools to measure impact and identify future investment opportunities.
n
Supporting Data: The 2026 Research Cohort and Their Contributions
n
The impact of the 2026 program is best measured through the specific projects completed by the interns, each addressing a critical bottleneck in the T1D ecosystem.
n
Jihyun Park: Bridging Biotech and Business
n
Mentored by Racquel Enad, MS, MPH, Senior Manager of Research Partnerships & Alliances, Jihyun Park focused on the business side of science. A master’s student in biotechnology at Columbia University, Park leveraged her background in statistics to modernize the Industry Development and Discovery Partnerships (IDDP) Program.
n
Since its inception in 2004, the IDDP has been a cornerstone of Breakthrough T1D’s venture philanthropy model. Park developed a comprehensive database tracking the milestones of IDDP grantees, including clinical progress and financing rounds. Her work included a visualization tool that maps the interconnectedness of these companies within the broader T1D industry, allowing the team to better assess the long-term ROI of their investments.
n
Sophia Meininger: Mapping the Global Funding Landscape
n
Under the guidance of Matt Whipple, Analyst in Research Strategy, Sophia Meininger tackled the challenge of global research fragmentation. Meininger, a dual undergraduate in Global Public Health and Africana Studies at Binghamton University, brought a personal connection to the work, having lived with T1D since age four.
n
Her project involved building a Global Funding Landscape, identifying government agencies and regional funders in areas where the T1D research ecosystem is still emerging. By pinpointing the leading institutions and investigators driving research in these underrepresented regions, Meininger’s findings allow Breakthrough T1D to expand its international footprint and foster cross-border collaborations.
n
Aliaa Elkallini: Standardizing Cell Therapy
n
Working with Senior Scientist Nicholas Mamrak, Ph.D., Aliaa Elkallini addressed a technical hurdle in the Cell Therapy field. As an M.D. candidate at the CUNY School of Medicine, Elkallini focused on the characterization of manufactured islets.
n
Currently, the variability in how manufactured islets are reported makes it difficult for scientists to compare data across different studies. Elkallini developed two complementary frameworks to standardize this information. These frameworks ensure that Breakthrough T1D can evaluate new research proposals with a consistent set of metrics, ultimately speeding up the development of islet replacement therapies.
n
Avi Patel: Enhancing Early Detection
n
Avi Patel, an MPH candidate at Long Island University and a former dentist, worked with Senior Scientist Raquel Lopez Diez, Ph.D., on the Early Detection portfolio. Patel’s work was centered on a global gap analysis of T1D screening programs.
n
Patel designed and led a survey of international screening initiatives, comparing their methodologies against international clinical consensus guidelines. Her synthesis of organizational records and clinical trial registries resulted in an executive-level presentation that identified specific geographic and procedural gaps, providing a roadmap for future screening implementation.
n
Kenzie Li: Optimizing Clinical Trials
Mentored by Gianna Strand, MS, Ph.D., Associate Director of Clinical Research, Kenzie Li focused on the human element of science. A master’s student in Biostatistics and Data Science at Weill Cornell Medicine, Li analyzed the barriers that prevent patients from participating in clinical trials.
Li’s work included a landscape gap analysis mapping clinical T1D evidence from 1975 to 2026. This longitudinal study allows Breakthrough T1D to identify populations that have been historically excluded from research, ensuring that future clinical trials are more inclusive and participant-centered.
Official Responses: Leadership Perspectives on Mentorship
The leadership at Breakthrough T1D views the internship program as a reciprocal exchange of value. The mentors emphasized that the benefits of the program extend far beyond the completed projects.
“The summer interns bring a fresh perspective and creativity to their projects, giving us a better understanding of T1D and how to advance our mission,” explained Matt Whipple, a mentor and Research Strategy Analyst.
Racquel Enad, Senior Manager of Research Partnerships & Alliances, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of innovation. “Making progress toward our mission requires us to stay innovative, analytical, and open to learning,” Enad stated. “Training the next generation is important not only because we can help develop future leaders, but because we learn from them too. That exchange of ideas, perspectives, and curiosity helps move us closer to breakthroughs in T1D.”
The organization’s commitment to this "exchange of ideas" is a deliberate strategy to prevent institutional stagnation and ensure that the latest academic trends—such as AI-driven data analysis and health equity frameworks—are integrated into their mission.
Implications: The Future of T1D Science
The work completed by the 2026 interns has immediate and long-term implications for the T1D community. By standardizing islet characterization, the organization can now fund cell therapy research with greater precision. By mapping the global funding landscape, they can leverage international resources more effectively. And by identifying barriers to clinical trials, they can ensure that new treatments reach diverse populations faster.
Furthermore, the program serves as a critical talent pipeline. The interns of 2026 are the researchers, public health experts, and doctors of 2030 and beyond. By embedding these students in the Breakthrough T1D ecosystem early in their careers, the organization is ensuring that the brightest minds in science remain dedicated to the T1D cause.
As Breakthrough T1D moves into the latter half of the decade, the data and frameworks developed by Jihyun, Sophia, Aliaa, Avi, and Kenzie will serve as foundational blocks for the next wave of cures. The 2026 internship program stands as a testament to the idea that while technology and funding are essential, it is the human element—the curiosity and energy of the next generation—that will ultimately cross the finish line in the fight against type 1 diabetes.
About Breakthrough T1D:
Breakthrough T1D is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, Breakthrough T1D has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since our inception.
Reported by Sandy Vogt, Ph.D.
