Assistant Professor 

Diabetes and Program in Molecular Medicine 

Investigator, Breakthrough T1D New England Center of Excellence  

Dr. Accalia Fu established her lab at the Diabetes Center at UMass Chan Medical School in October 2022 and is a faculty member in the Program in Molecular Medicine. She earned an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biology-Biotechnology and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa in Canada. Her PhD research, conducted in Dr. Rob Screaton’s lab, elucidated the role of the metabolic sensor kinase LKB1 and members of the AMPK kinase family in pancreatic β-cell function and growth.

During her postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Dr. Nika Danial’s lab, she identified key molecular routes of glucose metabolism that enhance β-cell survival, including arginine partitioning into the urea cycle and de novo glutathione synthesis. Her work has been recognized with prestigious fellowships from the Canadian Diabetes Association and Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Dr. Fu is passionate about mentoring future scientists and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for trainees, encouraging curiosity and resilience in both research and personal development.

BS in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I am interested in how molecular metabolism integrates signals that influence mitochondrial structure and function, and the fundamental roles these play in pancreatic islet biology and biochemistry. I am also testing how molecular metabolism impacts the interactions between beta cells and other cells within islets, like macrophages. In my free time, I enjoy reading fiction, painting, and baking.

BS in Biology, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT, 2025

I am the mouse guru in the lab. I also help with islet and macrophage isolations, and stem cell-derived islet projects. 

BSc, Amherst College, Cum Laude, 2022

I am interested in the role of inflammation in diabetes. I joined the lab as part of an ongoing U-match research project and am supported by the UMMS-sponsored summer research program.