Diabetes Institute Co-Directors
Vishwajeet Puri, MSc, PhD
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O. Endowed Professor in Diabetes
Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Co-Director, Diabetes Institute
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Vishwajeet Puri joined Ohio University Heritage College as part of a cluster hire, designed to attract high-quality talent, for the Diabetes Institute in 2015. Dr. Puri is a graduate of the Department of Chemistry at Panjab University, India. After receiving his doctorate from the Institute of Microbial Technology in the field of biochemistry and Biophysics, he completed his post-graduate training at the Mayo Clinic and Foundation in Rochester Minnesota. Prior to joining Ohio University in 2015, Dr. Puri worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts from 2009-2015. For the period of 2005-2009, he worked as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Puri has played integral roles in various committees for the university and the institute and was appointed Co-Director of the Diabetes Institute in 2022.
Dr. Puri is internationally recognized for identifying the function of CIDE proteins and their role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Puri lab uses various humanized mouse models and human clinical studies to identify molecular pathways regulating these diseases and identifying potential therapeutic targets. The National Institute of Health has continuously funded his research for the last 15 years.
Elizabeth Beverly, PhD
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, DO, Endowed Professor in Behavioral Diabetes
Professor, Department of Primary Care
Co-Director, Diabetes Institute
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Elizabeth Beverly is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where she also received her doctorate in behavioral health. She completed her post-graduate training at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School in Boston Massachusetts. She joined the Ohio University Heritage College in 2013 and became an investigator member, executive board member, and has played integral roles in a variety of committees for the Diabetes Institute. In 2022 Dr. Beverly was appointed as the Co-Director of the institute.
Dr. Beverly’s research in diabetes focuses on understanding the linkages among psychosocial issues, self-care, and health outcomes. She employs mixed methodology to examine the culture and context of diabetes self-management in a rural and underserved region of Appalachian Ohio. She is focused on implementing evidence-based interventions, including patient navigation and community health workers, to address health disparities and improve outcomes. Currently, Dr. Beverly is conducting research to address implicit bias and raise awareness about diabetes, Appalachian culture, and social determinants of health using cinematic virtual reality.