PNDRI | Our History and Mission

History and Mission of PNDRI

What is PNDRI?

The Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute was established as Pacific Northwest Research Foundation in 1956 by Dr. William B. Hutchinson, Sr., as the first private non-profit biomedical and clinical research institute in the Northwest. As Founder and first Director, Dr. Hutchinson's primary objective was to provide a facility for basic and clinical research dedicated to the improvement of patient care. Today, the Institute is committed especially to the prevention and cure of diabetes.

PNDRI employs more than 70 researchers in 7 investigative teams. Two of its principal scientists are members of the National Academy of Sciences. PNDRI collaborates actively with researchers around the world. Its results are highly regarded by peer scientists, and its work is supported by the most prestigious government and private funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association.

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Areas of Research

Biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology--these sciences and others help PNDRI investigate T-cell tolerance in autoimmune disease, glycosylation, DNA lesions, the mechanisms of pancreatic beta cells, general population screening for type 1 diabetes, glucose and lipid toxicity, and pancreas and islet transplantation.

Clinical Studies

Scientists at PNDRI engage in clinical as well as basic research. Some of their studies have targeted early detection of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Currently, among other investigations, they are collaborating in a multi-center trial of an immune suppressive drug designed to preserve beta cell function. They are also leading a consortium of Northwest research and healthcare organizations conducting human islet transplants.

Scientific Director

Since 1997, Dr. Paul Robertson has been President and Scientific Director of PNDRI. Before that time, he served as Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Washington, as Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado, and as Professor of Medicine and Cell Biology in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Minnesota, where for eleven years he held the Pennock Chair for Diabetes Research. He is currently an attending physician at the University of Washington and Director of Islet and Endocrine Research at Swedish Medical Center. He is also the director of a consortium of Seattle institutions engaged in the study of islet transplantation as a cure for diabetes.

Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees page (requires login)

Bob Russell, Chairman of the Board
R. Paul Robertson, M.D., President & Scientific Director
Gilliat G. Schroeder, Jr., Treasurer
Sarah Armstrong, Secretary
Karl L. Aschenbach
Lois Jean Broadway
Dan Caldwell
Benjamin Danielson, M.D.
Barry Erickson
Juanita M. Garrison
Carol L. Heimkes
Ardythe Johnson
James M. Norman,
Richard J. Omata
Jerry P. Palmer, M.D.
Doug Shaw

PNDRI's Mission

The mission of the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute is to support and conduct basic and clinical research that lead to the prevention and cure of diabetes and its complications.