Director, USF Diabetes and Endocrinology Center and the USF Health Informatics Institute 

Dr. Krischer is the study chair and director of the Data Coordinating Center for the NIH funded Network for the Identification of Environmental Triggers of Type 1 Diabetes (TEDDY) since its onset in 2004. This epidemiological study has three sites in the United States and three in Europe to study gene-environmental interactions that initiate or promote the development of autoimmunity. Although it does not involve an intervention, it is very similar to TRIGR in that 8000 newborns are enrolled and followed for up to 15 years to investigate gene, environment and gene x environment hypotheses.

In 2009, Dr. Krischer successfully competed to become the Coordinating Center for TrialNet which includes 14 clinical centers, 5 major affiliates and over 150 affiliates in a network accruing to 8 clinical trials in T1D prevention and C-peptide preservation in newly diagnosed subjects. Dr. Krischer is the Chair of the oral insulin prevention trial of multiply positive antibody subjects.

Dr. Krischer has a longstanding commitment to diabetes research and strongly committed to understanding the mechanisms of autoimmunity and disease progression. His office is an international resource to study factors associated with Type 1 Diabetes in that it contains the accumulating databases of the world experience through the DPT-1, TEDDY, TRIGR, and TrialNet databases.

Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Director

Dr. Rodriguez is a highly regarded pediatric endocrinologist whose career has focused on the prevention and clinical management of type 1 diabetes through partnerships with primary care providers and research collaborators. He led the pediatric diabetes clinical and clinical research programs at Indiana University / Riley Hospital for Children for over 10 years prior to joining the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2010 as a Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Director of the USF Diabetes Center, providing care to children and adults with diabetes and leading the development of clinical services and clinical research.

He has been a lead investigator in national and international collaborative type 1 diabetes (T1D) studies including the NIH-funded Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1, the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium, Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet and the Helmsley Charitable Trust funded T1D Exchange. He directs the USF TrialNet and T1D Exchange Clinical Centers and he is the immediate past chair of the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention Study.

Dr. Rodriguez has held many positions in the American Diabetes Association. He is a former member of the National Board and the Research Grant Review Committee. He currently serves on the Scientific Oversight and Legal Advocacy Committees, Safe at School Working Group and he is President of the local ADA Board. He is also a longstanding supporter of diabetes camps here and abroad. His collaborative efforts also include working with others to improve insulin pump therapy and the transition of young adults from pediatric to adult diabetes care providers. Dr. Rodriguez's professional focus is to improve the lives of those living with T1D while pursuing prevention and a cure.

Director, Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

Dr. Shulman joined the USF Diabetes Center as Professor of Pediatrics in July 2012 after serving as Chief of the USF Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism from 2005-2012, previously based in St. Petersburg. She continues as Director of the Pediatric Endocrine Fellowship Training Program. Dr. Shulman is currently a member of the Genetics and Newborn Screening Advisory Council for the State of Florida, the Governor's Diabetes Advisory Board, and is a member of the sub-board of Pediatric Endocrinology for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Shulman has been a volunteer physician for the Florida Camp for Children and Youth with Diabetes at Bring a Friend Camp and Camp Winona for many years. Her scholarly interests concern improving the care of children with a variety of endocrine disorders including diabetes, growth, puberty, adrenal, thyroid, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Dr. Shulman will provide clinical care as well as focus on the development of the clinical research program in diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Co-Director, Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

Dr. Jorgensen joined the faculty at the University of South Florida in 1990 following her training in pediatrics and endocrinology. Since joining USF, Dr. Jorgensen has had a close relationship with the residency program, serving as Associate Director of the Pediatric Residency Training Program from 1996 – 2001. During this period she was also Coordinator of Fourth Year Medical Student Pediatric Electives. She currently serves in the capacity of the Co-Director of the Pediatric Endocrine Fellowship Program. Dr. Jorgensen has served on the Institutional Review Board at All Children’s Hospital since 1991 and is currently its Chair. She has served on various committees with All Children’s Hospital including the Ethics Committee, Suncoast Pediatric Conference Planning Committee, and Executive Committee. She has been a camp physician for many years for the Florida Camp for Children and Youth with Diabetes Pee Wee Camp. Dr. Jorgensen has a wide variety of endocrine interests including diabetes, disorders of growth, thyroid, puberty and calcium metabolism.

Assistant Professor, Adult Endocrinology

Dr. Yevgeniya Kushchayeva joined The Diabetes and Endocrinology Center on July 22, 2019. She received her medical degree from the National Medical University (Kyiv, Ukraine). After completing her General Surgery residency in Kyiv, she worked as an endocrine surgeon in one of the largest endocrine centers in Ukraine with the main focus on thyroid disorders. In 2007, she successfully defended her Ph.D. work, which focused on thyroid cancer.

In the United States, she completed an Internal Medicine residency at the Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Hospital (Washington, DC) and then graduated with a specialized 4-year Endocrinology fellowship (The Physician-Scientist Training Program of the American Board of Internal Medicine) at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases /NIH (Bethesda, MD), serving as a fellow representative for 2 years.

Dr. Kushchayeva is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid abnormalities, bone disorders, and endocrine-related complications of immunotherapy.

Licensed Nurse Practitioner

Ms. Brownstein joined us in 2016 with extensive clinical experience managing adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and hypogonadism. As a former faculty member of Pasco Hernando Community College, Ms. Brownstein has an expressed interest in academic medicine and is a valued asset to our Clinical Research Program. As a certified midwife, Ms. Brownstein is uniquely qualified to care for women with gestational diabetes or pregnancies complicated by pre-existing diabetes.

Clinical Dietitian

Ms. Norman received an A.A. degree from the American College of Switzerland, BS in Biology from C.W. Post College, and an MA degree in Foods and Nutrition from New York University. She has worked with adults and children with diabetes since 1980 and presently teaches the nutrition and gestational diabetes classes associated with the USF Diabetes Center. She is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and received the Diabetes Educator of the Year award from the Florida West Coast Association of Diabetes Educators in 2002. Her passion is promoting physically active hobbies, and healthy eating to the pediatric and adult diabetes population in Tampa Bay. Because of her background in nutrition, she is actively involved in a small ministry that feeds over 300 homeless every week.

Registered Nurse - Insulin Pump and CGM Specialist

Janet is a licensed Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator. She obtained her Nursing Diploma from Jackson Memorial Hospital /the University of Miami and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Francisco State University. Her nursing career began at Jackson Memorial Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care and she continued to work in the PICU, nursing management, and Quality Improvement at Children's Hospital of San Francisco and California Pacific Medical Center. Janet is a certified trainer for all of the insulin pump and CGM devices and she provides education to pediatric and adult patients, their families, and other caregivers including, school nurses, medical support staff, and administrative personnel. She also supports our clinical research efforts in new technologies. Janet has been an active supporter of diabetes camps since the 1990s, serving as a camp nurse at camps in California, Indiana, and Florida. She currently assists with the Florida Diabetes Camps' Sam Fuld Sports Camp, Family Camp, and Adventure Camp.

Nurse Researcher/Clinical Research Coordinator

Mrs. Eyth is a licensed Registered Nurse who obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Florida. A former teacher, she became interested in diabetes research while her family participated in the TrialNet study. Emily now incorporates her love of education and passion for diabetes research into her work as a Nurse Coordinator to assist patients and their families to increase knowledge about diabetes.

Research Support Specialist

Ms. O'Brian has been with USF Diabetes Center since 2010. First as Lead Medical Assistant in the clinic and now in her new role in research. She is committed to diabetes research and strives to assist families in screening for Type 1 diabetes.

Administrative Specialist

Pat was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has worked as an administrative assistant for 30+ years, and is involved with patient advocacy and the TrialNet Type 1 Diabetes Research Network.