Dr. Mark Atkinson is currently the American Diabetes Association Eminent Scholar for Diabetes Research at The University of Florida. The author of over 300 publications, he is beginning his 29th year of investigation into the field of type 1 diabetes (T1D). He is an internationally recognized authority on multiple aspects pertaining to T1D, with particular interests in disease prediction and prevention, the role for environment in the disease, stem cells and pancreatic regeneration, and the identification of markers for tolerance and immunoregulation. Mark is also the Director of JDRF nPOD, an international effort dedicated to an improved understanding of human T1D. Finally, as President of IFL-USA and a key advisor to Life for a Child, he seeks to provide diabetes related support for international based efforts designed to bring food/medications/education to impoverished nations.