Dr. Filingeri’s research explores how mitochondrial stress contributes to β-cell dysfunction in type 1 diabetes. His current work, conducted in the lab of Vijay Yechoor, MD, professor of Medicine, director of the Diabetes and Beta Cell Biology Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and Diabetes and Metabolic Bone Disease Endowed Chair, focuses on the protein RIMOC1 and its role in mitophagy, the process by which damaged mitochondria are cleared and recycled. Using both cellular and animal models, he and colleagues in the lab are investigating how impaired mitochondrial clearance affects insulin production and secretion.
“Mitochondria are essential not only for generating insulin, but for providing the energy β-cells need to release it,” says Dr. Filingeri. “When their function declines, it can lead to oxidative stress that pushes these cells toward failure. We are asking whether improving mitochondrial recycling might help protect β-cells and preserve their function over time.”
Dr. Filingeri’s research began under a T32 training grant and will continue through a K12 mentored career development award starting in July. The long-term aim is to identify mechanisms that could be targeted therapeutically to delay or prevent β-cell loss in diabetes.
“This is a complementary way of approaching diabetes,” says Dr. Filingeri. “Instead of focusing only on the immune system or hormone replacement, we are looking at the stress response inside the cell itself — what happens when mitochondria begin to fail, and if there is a way to intervene before the damage to β-cells cannot be repaired.”
The RIMOC1 protein has previously been implicated in mitochondrial regulation in cancer biology but has not been studied extensively in endocrine cells. Dr. Filingeri and the Yechoor lab’s research is among the first to examine its role in pancreatic β-cells and its potential relevance to type 1 diabetes.
“We still have much to learn about what drives β-cell loss and how to stop it,” says Dr. Filingeri. “If we can understand the cell’s internal stress responses better—especially at the mitochondrial level—we may uncover ways to preserve insulin function and change how we manage diabetes from the outset.”
Upcoming Presentations
Dr. Filingeri will present findings from his ongoing work on RIMOC1 and mitochondrial regulation at the 2025 ADA Scientific Sessions and at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day this spring.
Clinical Experience and Ongoing Interests
While Dr. Filingeri’s work in the Division will be focused primarily on research, he will remain engaged in clinical care, particularly in diabetes management and disorders of sexual development (DSDs). His fellowship experience provided extensive exposure to a broad mix of endocrine presentations, from routine cases to highly complex or rare disorders.
“As the only large pediatric endocrinology center for hundreds of miles, UPMC Children’s serves a wide referral region,” says Dr. Filingeri. “That brings with it a high volume of complex cases and an opportunity to see how textbook principles play out in real-world scenarios.”
Working alongside faculty from diverse clinical and training backgrounds, he says, helped shape his approach to individualized care and highlighted the importance of context and clinical judgment.
“I learned a lot from seeing how different attendings reason through cases,” says Dr. Filingeri. “There is often more than one right answer, and having multiple perspectives helped me appreciate the value of flexibility and patient-centered decision-making.”
Mentorship and Teaching as a Long-Term Priority
Dr. Filingeri has also maintained an active role in education and mentorship throughout his training. He has mentored learners across multiple levels, including high school students pursuing science fair projects and pediatric residents preparing for board certification.
“I try to explain things the way I wish they had been explained to me,” says Dr. Filingeri. “A lot of these concepts can feel abstract or confusing at first and breaking them down clearly makes a big difference. Teaching has always been something I enjoy, and it is important to me to pay that forward.”
