Dr. Ray Rajotte has dedicated his life to advancing diabetes research and pushing Canada to the forefront as a leader in ground-breaking biomedical discoveries. Born and raised in Alberta, Dr. Rajotte is an internationally acclaimed researcher, making history as the pioneer of the first pancreatic islet cell transplant.

Beta cells are the most abundant type of cells in pancreatic islets and responsible for producing insulin to help regulate blood sugar. However, due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas of patients living with diabetes, insufficient insulin is produced, leaving them no other option - before Dr. Rajotte’s discovery - than continuous insulin injections for their entire life.

Dr. Rajotte completed an X-ray technologist program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology before obtaining his PhD at the University of Alberta in Biomedical Engineering. His doctoral studies utilized new techniques to isolate pancreatic islet cells, as well as freeze these cells for future usage such as transplantation. Before Dr. Rajotte’s discovery, there was no effective method for freezing and transplanting islet cells. The findings from his graduate work helped to establish effective methods of transplanting islets to treat diabetes. After completing his postdoctoral training at the University of California in the United States, Dr. Rajotte was recruited back to the University of Alberta to continue his work on islet transplantation.

Alongside a team of basic science researchers, clinical scientists, and graduate students, Dr. Rajotte founded the Islet Transplantation Group at the University of Alberta. The Islet Transplantation Group developed the Edmonton Protocol – a procedure used to transplant pancreatic islets from a healthy donor to patients living with type 1 diabetes. They successfully performed Canada’s first islet transplant in a clinical setting. The clinical success of the Edmonton Protocol allowed patients living with diabetes to no longer be dependent on insulin injections since the transplant allowed them to effectively produce insulin themselves. The Edmonton Protocol is considered the international standard of care for islet cell transplantation.

Dr. Rajotte spearheaded the creation of a world-class research facility called the Alberta Diabetes Institute. The goal of the Alberta Diabetes Institute is to increase Canada’s reputation as a global leader in developing treatments for diabetes. Since the establishment of the institute, there are over 50 scientists conducting research ranging from risk and preventive approaches to cell therapies to help find a sustainable solution to cure diabetes.

In addition to his renowned research, Dr. Rajotte is a mentor to many scientists and medical trainees. He is the Graduate Student Coordinator for the Department of Surgery at the University of Alberta, where he has mentored students throughout his career. Many of his students have continued to excel as research and medical leaders in Canada. Additionally, he has helped to establish the University of Alberta’s surgery program as one of the best recognized graduate programs in Canada.

Currently, Dr. Rajotte is the Director of the Surgical Medical Research Institute at the University of Alberta. He has received various honours including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, induction into the Royal Society of Canada, and the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada. His lifelong commitment to advancing diabetic research has impacted countless lives including patients, researchers, and medical healthcare providers around the world.

— Written by Rebecca Dang