Building on its two-decade journey from a philanthropic vision to a worldwide research enterprise committed to preventing, treating, and curing diabetes, the University of Oklahoma Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center has named John P. Kirwan, Ph.D., FACSM, a world-leading translational scientist, as its next director, effective Sept. 1, pending approval from the OU Board of Regents.

As childhood obesity and diabetes continue to rise worldwide, a researcher at the University of Oklahoma is investigating whether a simple addition to a breastfeeding mother’s diet – chia seeds – could help lower a child’s future risk of these conditions while improving the mother’s own health. Packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial plant compounds like polyphenols, chia seeds have been shown to improve factors linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Obesity may change how early-stage breast cancer becomes invasive, according to a study by University of Oklahoma researchers published in The American Journal of Pathology.

The TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) within the National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC) has awarded four FY27 seed grants to support innovative research aimed at improving the health of Oklahomans. Each investigator will receive up to $100,000 over two years to generate preliminary data and advance promising research that addresses critical public health challenges in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center (OBRC) has launched an app that gives families quick and easy access to free breastfeeding support.