Piaopiao Li, M.S., a graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, took home a pair of awards from the 2025 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, held June 20-23 in Chicago.
Li received the Young Investigator Award, which commends early-career researchers’ abstracts for originality, methodological soundness and significance to the field, as well as the Diabetes in Primary Care Interest Group Early Career Abstract Award, which recognizes scientists whose work intends to advance diabetes prevention and care in primary care settings. Li said this pair of honors confirms that her research efforts are meaningful and capable of improving health outcomes for patients with diabetes.
“For me, they’re not just recognitions of past work — they’re affirmations of my decision to pursue scientific research as a way to improve clinical care and influence health policy, especially in the field of diabetes,” Li said. “Being acknowledged by both the broader scientific community and a primary care–focused interest group is particularly meaningful, because it highlights both the methodological rigor and the real-world impact of our research. It’s also incredibly motivating as an early-career investigator to know that my work is seen as impactful and worth elevating.”
During the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, Li presented a 15-year follow-up study evaluating the real-world effectiveness of the VA MOVE! Program, which aims to help veterans manage weight and improve cardiometabolic health in order to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Li and her research team found that diabetes prevention programs like VA MOVE! can be effective over a 15-year period, but achieving durable, long-term impact may require sustained engagement and tailored strategies for high-risk individuals.
“What inspires me most is the intersection of data science, clinical impact and health equity. Veterans have given so much in service, yet many face disproportionate health challenges,” Li explained. “Being able to use large-scale data to evaluate real-world programs that could improve their long-term health is meaningful.”
Li is mentored by Hui Shao, M.D., Ph.D., a courtesy assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy in the UF College of Pharmacy and an associate professor in Emory University’s Hubert Department of Global Health. The pair were interviewed by HCPLive, a clinical news website for practitioners, about their research during the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.
“Through his guidance and our collaborative work, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a national effort focused on evaluating the real-world effectiveness of diabetes prevention programs,” Li said of her mentorship from Shao. “Being part of this team has reinforced my belief that rigorous, policy-relevant research can inform public health practice and improve health outcomes at scale.”