Clinical Diabetes Research Group

Jeremy Hodson Pettus, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, University of California San Diego

Jeremy Pettus MD was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of 15 and since that time has dedicated his career to helping and treating others diagnosed with T1D. His research now spans all areas of type 1 research including immunotherapies to treat the underlying disease, novel therapies beyond insulin to help improve blood sugars and improve quality of life, and new technologies including artificial pancreas devices. Through this research, Dr. Pettus's group has become internationally recognized as pioneers in new T1D therapies. 

In addition to his time in research, Dr. Pettus also sees patients in the UCSD T1D clinic that specializes in state-of-the art care. Finally, Dr. Pettus is a well-known educator and works with the not-for-profit organization "Taking Control of Your Diabetes" (TCOYD.org). This organization creates free educational content for individuals living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This content includes original diabetes-themed songs (which he writes and performs) and entertaining videos that frequently feature Dr. Pettus is some new wig or ridiculous costume. 

Dr. Pettus is truly passionate about T1D care and research and is extremely proud of the group he has the privilege of working with every day.

Schafer Boeder, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Endocrinology, University of California San Diego

Schafer Boeder, M.D., is an Endocrinologist specializing in glycemic management in hospitalized patients and clinical research in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. His interests include developing approaches to reduce acute complications (e.g., hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis) and chronic macrovascular complications (e.g., cardiovascular disease), as well as using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the inpatient setting. He is active in patient outreach and education through Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD). He received a BA from Dartmouth College before attending Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine followed by a fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of California San Diego.

Erin Giovannetti, MSN, FNP-C

Diabetes Nurse Practitioner

Erin Giovannetti, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, currently practicing at the University of California San Diego in clinical diabetes research. She specializes in type 1 and type 2 diabetes care and education, providing concierge diabetes management to maintain their health and wellness, while he/she participates in the clinical diabetes trials. She recently joined the UCSD Division of Diabetes and Metabolism managing glycemic control in hospitalized patients. Previously, she worked as a Trauma Nurse at the University of California, Irvine and as a Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Room at University of California, San Diego. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Azusa Pacific University and earned her Master of Science and Family Nurse Practitioner from California State University, Long Beach. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, hiking, reading, and world travel.

Todd May, MS, CCRC

Program Manager

Todd May, MS, CCRC, is a senior research associate and program manager for clinical research at UCSD. He began his research career at the University in 1999 and has worked on a wide range or research projects for UCSD and the Veteran’s Affairs Healthcare Systems including, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease, Spinal Cord Injury, Cardiovascular Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Movement Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, HIV, and Alcohol Dependence. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and earned his Master of Science degree in Psychophysiology from Alliant University. He currently can’t remember the interesting things he used to do outside of work because all he can do is binge-watch everything.

Adrienne Armstrong, BA, CCRC

Project Manager

Adrienne Armstrong, BA, CCRC, is a senior research associate and project manager for clinical research at UCSD. She began her research career at the VA San Diego Healthcare System in the divisions of Endocrinology and Cardiology. She has been involved in research for over 10 years and has expertise in managing complex clinical trials for diabetes (type 1 and type 2), in addition to prediabetes and heart failure.

Leslie Carter, BS

Lab Manager

Leslie Carter, BS is a lab manager /research associate and has been with UCSD since 1990. She has been involved with both basic and clinical research at UCSD and the San Diego Veteran’s Affairs Healthcare System working on studies of Metabolism, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes and PCOS. She earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Microbiology and Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.