Ralph Defronzo, MD
Enriched profileProfessor of Medicine; Chief, Diabetes Division; Deputy Director, Texas Diabetes Institute · UT Health San Antonio
Ralph Defronzo is Professor of Medicine; Chief, Diabetes Division; Deputy Director, Texas Diabetes Institute at UT Health San Antonio. OpenAlex indexes 407 publications with 52,161 citations (h-index 99); ClinicalTrials.gov lists 27 registered studies with this person as an investigator. By OpenAlex citation count, this profile ranks in the top 1% of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism profiles in the findmyKOL directory.
Data verified 14 Aug 2026
Overview
Updated 15 Oct 2026
Ralph A. DeFronzo, MD, is Professor of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio (Long School of Medicine). The public record shows 407 publications with 52,161 citations (h-index 99), centered on Diabetes Treatment and Management, Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins. It also documents an investigator role on 27 registered clinical trials, industry payments reported by 23 companies, 9 NIH-funded awards (1988–2026).
- Most recent indexed publication: 2026 · Diabetes care
- Top research focus: Diabetes Treatment and Management
- 27 registered trials on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Open Payments reporting from 23 companies
Generated from the cited public record · current as of 15 Oct 2026. Every fact links its source below.
Indications focus
from trials led + research topicsResearch focus
OpenAlex concept fingerprintDrugs & molecules
across trials, industry payments and publicationsWorks with
trial sponsors and companies reporting paymentsScholarship
indexed output and impact (OpenAlex)Distinct works indexed by OpenAlex, matched via ORCID; 33 in PubMed.
Total citations across indexed works.
Hirsch index (OpenAlex). i10-index 261.
Clinical & industry
trials, payments and federal fundingContact
The practice address and phone this provider lists in the federal NPPES (CMS) registry.
Practice address
Telephone
Practice address and telephone from the federal NPPES registry.
Sign in to view contact details →Clinical trials
Updated 15 Oct 2026
Listed as an investigator on 27 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov. The most recent:
- SGLT2i, Pioglitazone, and Ketone Production in T1D
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- SGLT2i, Pioglitazone, and Ketone Production in T2D
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- SGLT2i, Ketoacidosis, Volume Contraction, and Insulinopenia
Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Industry payments
Updated 15 Oct 2026
23 companies reported payments to CMS in program years 2021–2025. These are public disclosures, not judgments. The latest:
- Corcept TherapeuticsProgram year202523 payments$47,124openpaymentsdata.cms.gov ↗
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Program year202519 payments$32,430openpaymentsdata.cms.gov ↗
- Novo Nordisk IncProgram year202510 payments$15,543openpaymentsdata.cms.gov ↗
Medicare prescribing footprint (2019)
The drugs this prescriber writes for Medicare patients, grouped by drug class and therapeutic area. Every percentage is a share of their total prescribing, so you can see what they prescribe most. These are proportions, not patient counts or dollar amounts. No condition is inferred: the claims record what was prescribed, never why.
Hormonal (systemic)
100%l-Thyroxine100%Levothyroxine Sodium100%Part D<11 patients
Drug classes come from the WHO ATC and U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxClass) classifications; prescribing counts come from the CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers file. Each drug is counted once, under its primary class. Medicare fee-for-service only, so no Medicare Advantage, commercial, or pediatric prescribing is included. CMS publishes this data about 17 months after the fact.
NIH funding
Updated 15 Oct 2026
9 NIH research awards on record, funded 1988–2026 per NIH RePORTER. The latest:
- Identification of cell type-specific insulin responsive quantitative trait loci in human skeletal muscle
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
FY2026$707,781R01DK145103 - Targeting hepatic mitochondrial function in humans with NAFLD using insulin sensitizers
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
FY2026$682,149R01DK129676 - SGLT2 Inhibitors, Ketogenesis, and Ketoacidosis
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
FY2026$674,244R01DK024092
Congress activity
Updated 15 Oct 2026
9 congress contributions (2009–2025) across AACE, ADA, ASH, ENDO per OpenAlex. The most recent:
- 1982-LB: MPC-Directed Insulin Sensitizer MSDC-0602K Combines with Tirzepatide to Maintain Muscle Mass/Function and Restructure Adipose Tissue
ADA Scientific Sessions
ADA2025Co-authorLate-breaking
Published abstracts are attributed via the same ORCID-disambiguated authorship as publications, so each is DOI-verified. Podium roles (invited talks, session chairs) and oral/poster type are added as program data is confirmed.
Publications
Updated 15 Oct 2026
Their five most recent publications, matched to their ORCID record and linked to PubMed.
- Insulin Sensitive Patients With Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Physiologic and Metabolic Characterization (STOP DIABETES).
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism
Clinical Trial2026 - Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia in kidney disease: mechanisms and metabolic effects.
Nature reviews. Nephrology
Review2026 - How the First 9 Months Shape the Rest of Your Life: The Impact of Gestational Diabetes on the Metabolic Future.
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism
Review2026 - Chronically elevated sympathetic nervous system tone: A significant, common, and poorly realised contributor to cardiometabolic disease in type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes, obesity & metabolism
Article2026
Most-cited works
by citation count (OpenAlex)- 01
- 02
- 03The Triumvirate: β-Cell, Muscle, Liver: A Collusion Responsible for NIDDMArticle2,474 citations1988
- 04Impaired Fasting Glucose and Impaired Glucose ToleranceArticle1,397 citations2007
- 05Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitusArticle1,336 citations2004
Network
Updated 15 Oct 2026
The people this person publishes with most, by number of co-authored papers. Names link to their own profile when we have one.
Online presence
Updated 15 Oct 2026
This person's own public accounts first, then places where others mention them. Two different things, listed separately.
Owned accounts
public accounts run by this person- Doximity
doximity.com/pub/ralph-defronzo-md
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →doximity.com ↗ - LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/ralph-defronzo-4a56b8269
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →linkedin.com ↗ - Other
directory.uthscsa.edu/academics/profile/defronzo
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗ - Other
scholars.uthscsa.edu/en/persons/ralph-a-defronzo
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →scholars.uthscsa.edu ↗ - ResearchGate
researchgate.net/profile/Ralph-Defronzo-2
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →researchgate.net ↗
Mentions by others
where others cite or feature them- Other
vumedi.com/channel/dr-ralph-defronzo/tab/videos-1536/video/obesity-and-diabetes-qa-panel-discussion
provisionalFound in a cited public source but not yet independently corroborated. Published as a labeled candidate and queued for verification.How we verify →vumedi.com ↗ - X / Twitter
x.com/asnpublications/status/1986146508232654997
- Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/3S7LUVjBuJtgtinyAUSrX1
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →open.spotify.com ↗ - Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/5Tgc7TxPg7H2IyYUSSQUAf
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →open.spotify.com ↗ - YouTube
youtube.com/watch
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →youtube.com ↗ - YouTube
youtube.com/watch
provisionalFound in a cited public source but not yet independently corroborated. Published as a labeled candidate and queued for verification.How we verify →youtube.com ↗ - YouTube
youtube.com/watch
provisionalFound in a cited public source but not yet independently corroborated. Published as a labeled candidate and queued for verification.How we verify →youtube.com ↗ - YouTube
youtube.com/watch
provisionalFound in a cited public source but not yet independently corroborated. Published as a labeled candidate and queued for verification.How we verify →youtube.com ↗ - YouTube
youtube.com/watch
provisionalFound in a cited public source but not yet independently corroborated. Published as a labeled candidate and queued for verification.How we verify →youtube.com ↗ - YouTube
youtube.com/watch
provisionalFound in a cited public source but not yet independently corroborated. Published as a labeled candidate and queued for verification.How we verify →youtube.com ↗
We list an account only when the public record ties it to this person. verified means we've confirmed the match in more than one place; provisional means it looks right but we're still confirming.
Background & recognition
Updated 15 Oct 2026
Credentials, appointments and honors, newest first, each linked to the public source it came from.
Education
degrees and training on record- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗
- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗
- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗
- Board Certified
Internal Medicine and Nephrology (American Board of Internal Medicine)
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗ - Postdoctoral Fellowship in Endocrinology
NIH/Baltimore City Hospital
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗ - Postdoctoral Fellowship in Nephrology
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗
Editorial & leadership roles
journal and society appointments- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
Awards & honors
honors on the public record- Prince Mahidol Award in Medicine (2022)
presented by King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, January 2023
2023verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗ - verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
- Claude Bernard Award
European Association for the Study of Diabetes (2008), same year as the Banting Award, a first for one recipient
2008verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗ - verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
- verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →directory.uthscsa.edu ↗
Secondary affiliations
appointments beyond the home institution- Deputy Director
Texas Diabetes Institute, University Health System, San Antonio, TX
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗ - Holder
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Distinguished Chair in Diabetes
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →news.uthscsa.edu ↗
Media & interviews
press, podcasts and appearances- Multi-part video interview series for Diabetes in Control
including "Introduction and ADA 2017" segment
2017verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →diabetesincontrol.com ↗ - Full interview with Diabetes in Control (publisher Steve Freed) covering A1C
preferred diabetes medications, prediabetes, and beta-cell regeneration
verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →diabetesincontrol.com ↗ - verifiedCorroborated by findmyKOL. We matched this record across two or more independent public sources (or a verified ORCID / NPI identifier bridge) before attributing it to this person.How we verify →medscape.org ↗
Every item links to where we found it. verified means we've confirmed it in more than one place; provisional means we found it and are still confirming.
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