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U student invited to Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Trevor Tippetts, a fourth-year graduate student in the Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, has been invited to the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.
Trevor Tippets, a caucasian man, poses with a lab coat on.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Trevor Tippetts

Trevor Tippetts

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Trevor Tippetts, a fourth-year graduate student in the Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, has been invited to the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting on June 27-July 2, 2021, in Lindau, Germany. Young scientists from around the world apply for the opportunity to spend a week with more than 50 Nobel Laureates to foster knowledge exchange across generations and disciplines. The event is highly competitive—only 650 of the most qualified applicants are selected.

Tippetts more than fits the bill. His research in the laboratory of Scott Summers, chair of nutrition and integrative physiology at the University of Utah aims to prevent diabetes onset by reducing levels of sphingolipids, such as ceramides. Tippetts’ recent work showed that a small change in the ceramide molecule leads to a complete reversal of diabetes in obese mice and all-around health improvements. He has presented his findings at scientific conferences in Israel, Finland and here in the United States. This work detailing a new mechanism of ceramide action and highlighting the therapeutic potential of reducing ceramides was published in the high impact journal Science. His current research continues to explore the therapeutic potential of intervening in the ceramide pathway and focusing on how insulin-secreting cells fail and subsequently lead to diabetes onset.

“I am excited to participate in the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. This will be a unique experience to interact with the greatest minds in science and to exchange ideas between different scientific disciplines and cultures. I am looking forward to spending time with the Nobel laureates and enjoying the experience with my peers,” Tippets said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that cannot come soon enough!”