About the RAD Lab
Dr. Marisa Hilliard’s Resilience And Diabetes (RAD) Behavioral Research Lab conducts behavioral research to learn about and support resilience in young people with type 1 diabetes and their families. Resilient diabetes outcomes include engaging in diabetes self-management behaviors, having good diabetes-related quality of life, and aiming for glycemic outcomes close to the targets, even while managing the challenges of living with diabetes.
The lab’s work includes observational and survey research to understand how different risk and protective factors relate to or predict resilient diabetes outcomes, qualitative interview studies to learn about everyday life experiences with diabetes, studies to develop and evaluate new assessment measures related to these topics, and strengths-based intervention research to help young people and families living with diabetes maximize their strengths and achieve optimal outcomes.
Research in the RAD Behavioral Research Lab spans the pediatric age range, including studies from early childhood to early adulthood, with a focus on transitional periods such as adapting to a new diabetes diagnosis, shifting family diabetes management responsibilities between childhood and adolescence, adjusting to a new medical regimen or device, and transitioning from pediatric to adult care.
Association and Organization Involvement
Dr. Hilliard is also actively involved in professional diabetes organizations and type 1 diabetes family and community groups, including:
- American Diabetes Association
- American Psychological Association Division 54/Society of Pediatric Psychology
- Children With Diabetes, Friends for Life
- College Diabetes Network
- JDRF Houston Gulf Coast Chapter
Lab News and Events
Take Five on Understanding and Responding to Racial Microaggressions by Kishan Desai, texaschildrensnews.org, April 2021.
Anti-racism and Allyship: Coloring a New Conversation by Kishan Desai & Viena Cao, texaschildrens.org, November 2020.
Allies Unite: Creating a Black Lives Matter Ally Out of Your Teen by Brenda Duran and Stephanie Chapman, texaschildrens.org, August 2020.
Type 1 Diabetes Resilience: Recognizing and Developing It, by Med-IQ and JDRF, JDRF.org, 2019.
I vow to be better, by Viena Cao. Society of Pediatric Psychology Narratives on Racial Trauma and Justice, Societyofpediatricpsychology.org, June 2020.
Vaccinating our 1-year-old was a no-brainer [Opinion] by Marisa Hilliard. HoustonChronicle.com, February 2019.
Self-care is never selfish for parents of kids with diabetes by Wendy Levy and Marisa Hilliard. BeyondType1.org, December 2016.
Surviving the holidays – parenting guide for kiddos with T1D by Meredith Rose, Wendy Levy and Marisa Hilliard. BeyondType1.org, December 2016.
The power of praise in type 1 parenting by Maureen Monaghan and Marisa Hilliard. BeyondType1.org, December 2016.
Counting sheep and getting sleep for young children with T1D and their parents by Caitlin Shneider, Marisa Hilliard and Randi Streisand. BeyondType1.org, September 2016.
10 secrets for getting your toddler with type 1 to eat by Marisa Hilliard and Carrie Tully. BeyondType1.org, August 2016.
Mental Health and Strengths-based Approaches Society of Pediatric Psychology, Diabetes Special Interest Group "Diabetes Psychology 101" Webinar, October 2021.
#AdultingWithT1D and Transition to Adulthood The Type 1 Transitions Program, in partnership with the Section of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology, offers programs to help teens and young adults with diabetes and their families prepare for adulthood, adult care, and life with diabetes beyond high school.
Diabetes Awareness Month 2016 by Marisa Hilliard. TexasChildrensBlog.org, November 2016.
Mental Health and Wellness: An Interview With Marisa Hilliard by Devanshi Gupta, diaTribe.org, April 2022.
How to Stay Positive Through the Ups and Downs of Managing Your Diabetes, by Ginny Graves, EatingWell.com, May 2020.
How Resilience can Help You Manage Diabetes (and How to Build It), by Kate Ruder, Everyday Health, December 2021.
Meet the Expert: Empowering People with T1D through Hands-On Care, by Jewels Doskicz, T1DExchange.org, November 2021.
Diabetes Resilience a Muscle You Can Build?, by Scott Johnson. diaTribe.org, May 2021.
Coping with Diabetes Stress and Burnout: What to Know by Greg Brown. Healthline.com, May 2019.
Experts recommend gradual transition toward diabetes self-management for adolescents, families Healio.com, March 2019.
The Secret to Dealing with Setbacks by Andrew Curry, DiabetesForecast.org, January 2019.
Recognizing Mental Health Issues in Diabetes Care... Is It Enough? by Mike Hoskins, Healthline.com, May 2018.
Strengths-Based App to Reduce Diabetes-related Family Conflict by Audrey Farly, InsulinNation.com, March 2018.
Health-related Quality of Life ‘Neglected Offspring’ in Comprehensive Diabetes Care Healio.com, June 2016.
Quality of Life: Value in Diabetes Care by Samantha Peterson, EndocrinologyNetwork.com, June 2016.
In T1D, Quality of Life Measures Fall Short by Richard Kirkner, MDEdge.com, June 2016.
Growing Up With Diabetes Medicap.com, October 2013.