Bruce Verchere PhD is a Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia, head of the Diabetes Research Program at the Child & Family Research Institute (CFRI) at BC Children's Hospital, and the Irving K Barber Chair in Diabetes Research. His research aims to develop therapeutic approaches for enhancing beta cell survival and function in diabetes and islet transplants. Dr. Verchere was awarded the Canadian Diabetes Association Young Scientist award in 2006 and in 2012 received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for diabetes research and service. Dr. Verchere chairs review panels for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and JDRF and is a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Diabetes Association. He has served on the editorial boards of Diabetes and Endocrinology, and is associate editor of the journal Islets. He co-chaired the 2012 Immunology of Diabetes Society meeting in Victoria BC Canada.