Don joined the islet cell transplant clinical trials team in the fall of 2008. Over the past 12 years, Don has worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago initially as a student research assistant, a project coordinator, and currently a research specialist. Don is a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, and is a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator. Prior to joining the islet team, he worked on studies investigating cardiovascular risk factors of children with diabetes, exercise and oxidative stress among adults with type 2 diabetes, barriers to physical activity for people with disabilities, exercise adherence for people with diabetes, and strength training for people with pulmonary disease. His daily responsibilities include recruiting subjects, data management, coordination of clinic appointments, and processing of lab samples. Additionally, Don maintains the transplant wait-list to ensure lab work stays current and to make sure candidates have the required specimens available for future donor cross matches.