Boris Kovatchev, PhD

Dr. Boris P. Kovatchev is Professor at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor at UVA’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the founding Director of the UVA Center for Diabetes Technology.

He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” Bulgaria in 1989. Kovatchev has a 30-year track record in mathematical modeling and computing, with primary focus on diabetes technology since 1996.

Professional Education:

• MS in Mathematics, Sofia University “St.Kliment Ohridski,” Sofia, Bulgaria
• PhD in Mathematics (Probability & Statistics), Sofia University “St.Kliment Ohridski”

Honors and Awards

• The 2008 Diabetes Technology Leadership Award of the International Diabetes Technology Society.
• One of the top 14 Pioneers of Medical Progress, U.S. News and World Report, August 2009.
• 2011 Edlich-Henderson Inventor of the Year, University of Virginia.
• 2013 JDRF – Gerold & Kayla Grodsky Basic Research Scientist Award
• Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

Active Research Projects

• The PrIMed Project (Precision Individualized Medicine for Diabetes), Corresponding Principal Investigator, UVA Strategic Investment in Type 1 Diabetes (2017-2022).
• Clinical Acceptance of the Artificial Pancreas: The International Diabetes Closed Loop (iDCL) Trial. Principal Investigator, NIH/NIDDK UC4DK108483 (2016-2021).
• Biobehavioral Human-Machine Co-adaptation of the Artificial Pancreas. Principal Investigator, NIH/ NIDDK RO1 DK 085623 (2009-2025).
• UVA – Novo Nordisk Master Research Agreement. Principal Investigator, (2019-2024).
• UVA – Dexcom, Inc. Master Research Agreement. Principal Investigator, (2020-2025).
• Biobehavioral Triggers, Mechanisms, and Control of Glucose Variability in T1DM. Principal Investigator (1996-2016), Co-Investigator (2017-2024); NIH/NIDDK: RO1 DK 51562

Completed Projects

• Relative efficacy of single-, bi-, and tri-hormonal closed-loop control systems. Principal Investigator for UVA Site, NIH/NIDDK DP3 DK106785 (2015-2020).
• Models, Signals, and Distributed Bio-Behavioral Control of Exercise in Diabetes. Co-Investigator (2015-2019); NIH/NIDDK DP3 DK 106826
• CloudConnect: Consumer Health IT for Enhanced Treatment of Chronic Illness. Co-Investigator (2016-2019); NIH R01 LM012090
• Network Control of Diabetes: Aligning Artificial Pancreas Design with Physiology. Principal Investigator, NIH/NIDDK: DP3DK101055 (2013-2018);
• Ambulatory Artificial Pancreas: Merging Physiology, Behavior, and Control Design. Co-Principal Investigator, (multi-PI, multi-institution project), NIH/NIDDK DP3 DK 094331 (2011-2016);
• Systems Approach to Closed-Loop Control of Type 1 Diabetes at Home. Principal Investigator, (multi-institution international project), JDRF Grant Number: 22-2011-649 (2006-2015);
• Model-Based Tracking of Hemoglobin A1c and Risk for Hypoglycemia in Diabetes. Principal Investigator, Sanofi-Aventis (2012-2016).
• Accuracy Requirements for Non-Adjunctive Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): An In-Silico Study. Principal Investigator, Becton, Dickinson and Company (2013-2015).
• Development of Ambulatory Artificial Pancreas Platform (AAPP). Investigator, JDRF Grant Number 17-2011-273 (Keith-Hynes, 2012-2013).
• Pancreatic endocrine network control of glucagon counterregulation. Investigator, NIH/NIDDK: R01 DK 082805 (Farhy & McCall, 2009-2014);
• Introduction of Heart Rate Monitoring to the Closed-Loop Control of T1DM. Investigator, NIH/NIDDK: R21 DK 085641 (Breton, 2009-2012);
• A Clinical Study of the Warm-Up, Accuracy, and Lag Performance of a Glucose Binding Protein-Based Continuous Glucose Monitor (GBP CGM) Under Clamped and Unclamped Conditions. JDRF Grant Number 17 2011 532 (Anderson, 2011-2012).
• Identifying driving risk factors in T1DM and their reduction via behavioral intervention, Investigator, NIH/NIDDK: RO1 DK 28288 (Cox, 2008-2013);
• In Silico and In Vivo Studies of Glucose Control in the Intensive Care. Principal Investigator, US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (2009-2011);
• Development of Signal processing and Calibration Algorithms for the Echo Therapeutics Symphony Transcutaneous Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device. Principal Investigator, The Epsilon Group Virginia, (2009);
• Parent-child co-regulation of pediatric diabetes, Investigator, NIH/NIDDK: R01 DK060039 (2002-2006);
• Prediction of Imminent Hypoglycemia from Continuous Glucose Sensor, Principal Investigator, Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA (2005-2006);
• Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center, Principal Investigator of Integrated Data Management Project, NIH/NIDDK: P30 DK 063609 (2003-2004);
• Comparison of CGMS and CGS Accuracy using Continuous Error-Grid Analysis (CG-EGA), Investigator, Abbott Diabetes Care, 2004.
• Severe Hypoglycemia: Risks and Prevention, Investigator, NIH/NIDDK: RO1 DK 28288;
• Examination of the relative effects of Adderall XR vs. Concerta vs. placebo on driving performance, neurocognitive performance, physical symptoms and mood among male and female adolescent and adult drivers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Investigator, McNeil Consumers Pharmaceuticals.
• Physical symptoms, moods and cognitive-motor functioning correlates with hyperglycemia among adults with insulin requiring Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), Investigator, Eli Lilly and Co, Indianapolis, IN;
• Use of the Internet for International Diabetes Education: Blood Glucose Awareness Training, Investigator, American Diabetes Association;
• Psycho-Physiological Procedure for Assessing Attentional Disorders, Investigator, CBI-FEST: 2003-2004.
• Algorithmic design of an intelligent blood glucose meter (Phase 4). Principal Investigator, LifeScan Inc., Milpitas, CA (2005-2007);
• Mathematical models and algorithms enhancing sensor accuracy and identifying irregular current patterns in continuous glucose sensors (CGS). Principal Investigator, Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA (2005-2007);
• Heart rate monitoring enabling closed- loop control in people with type 1 diabetes. Principal Investigator, Coulter Translational Research Partnership at the University of Virginia (2007-2008).
• Intraislet network control of glucagon secretion, Investigator, NIH/NIDDK R21 DK072095 (Farhi, 2006-08).

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatric Medicine and Department of Public Health Sciences, UVA

Associate Professor, Head, Section of Computational Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, UVA

Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences; Adjunct Professor, Department of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Virginia

Recent Publications

• Phillip M, Bergenstal RM, Close KL, Danne T, Garg SK, Heinemann L, Hirsch IB, Kovatchev BP, Laffel LM, Mohan V, Parkin CG, Battelino T. The Digital/Virtual Diabetes Clinic: The Future Is Now Recommendations from an International Panel on Diabetes Digital Technologies Introduction. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021; 23:146-154. doi: 10.1089/dia.2020.0375. PMID: 32905711.
• Brown SA, Kovatchev BP, Raghinaru D, et al, for the iDCL Trial Research Group. 6-month randomized multicenter trial of closed-loop control in type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019; 381: 1707-17. PMID: 31618560.
• Beck RW, Brown SA, Lum JW, and Kovatchev BP. Nonadjunctive Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring: The End of Fingersticks? Diabetes Technol Ther. 2020; 22:67-68. PMID: 31657622.
• Gautier T, Umpierrez G, Renard E, Kovatchev B. The Differential and Combined Action of Insulin Glargine and Lixisenatide on the Fasting and Postprandial Components of Glucose Control. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2019; doi: 10.1177/1932296819891170. PMID: 31810389.
• Kovatchev BP, Kollar L, Anderson SM, Barnett C, Breton MD, Carr K, Gildersleeve R, Oliveri MC, Wakeman CA, Brown SA. Evening and overnight closed-loop control versus 24/7 continuous closed-loop control for type 1 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial. Lancet Digital Health 2020; 2: e64-e73.
• Kovatchev BP, Anderson SM, Raghinaru D, Kudva YC, Laffel LM, Levy C, Pinsker JE, Wadwa RP, Buckingham B, Doyle FJ 3rd, Brown SA, Church MM, Dadlani V, Dassau E, Ekhlaspour L, Forlenza GP, Isganaitis E, Lam DW, Lum J, Beck RW; iDCL Study Group. Randomized Controlled Trial of Mobile Closed-Loop Control. Diabetes Care. 2020; 43:607-615. PMID: 31937608
• Kovatchev BP, Brown SA, Beck RW. Multicenter Trial of Closed-Loop Control in Type 1 Diabetes. Reply. N Engl J Med. 2020; 382:578. PMID: 32023383
• Nguyen M, Han J, Spanakis EK, Kovatchev BP, Klonoff DC. A Review of Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Based Composite Metrics for Glycemic Control. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2020. doi: 10.1089/dia.2019.0434. PMID: 32069094
• Fabris C, Kovatchev B. The closed-loop artificial pancreas in 2020. Artif Organs. 2020 May 8. doi: 10.1111/aor.13704. PMID: 32384582
• Kovatchev B, Meng Z, Cali AMG. et al. Low Blood Glucose Index and Hypoglycaemia Risk: Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL Versus Insulin Glargine 100 U/mL in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Ther 11, 1293–1302 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-020-00808-y. PMID: 32304086
• Fabris C, Heinemann L, Beck RW, Cobelli C, Kovatchev B. Estimation of Hemoglobin A1c From Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data in Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes: Is Time in Range All We Need? Diabetes Technol Ther. 2020 doi: 10.1089/dia.2020.0236. PMID: 32459124.
• Brown SA, Beck RW, Raghinaru D, Buckingham BA, Laffel LM, Wadwa RP, Kudva YC, Levy CJ, Pinsker JE, Dassau E, Doyle FJ 3rd, Ambler-Osborn L, Anderson SM, Church MM, Ekhlaspour L, Forlenza GP, Levister C, Simha V, Breton MD, Kollman C, Lum JW, Kovatchev BP. Glycemic Outcomes of Use of CLC Versus PLGS in Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care. 2020; 43:1822-1828. PMID: 32471910; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7372060.

Other publications can be found here.

Currently, he is Principal Investigator of several projects dedicated to the development and testing of closed-loop control (known as the artificial pancreas) and decision support systems for diabetes, including the large-scale NIH/NIDDK International Diabetes Closed-Loop Trial (grant UC4 DK 108483), NIH grant RO1 DK 085623 (Biobehavioral Human-Machine Co-adaptation of the Artificial Pancreas), and the University of Virginia’s PrIMeD Project (Precision Individualized Medicine for Diabetes).

Kovatchev is author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications and holds 91 U.S. and international patents, among which are the algorithms behind the Control-IQ closed-loop system (Tandem Diabetes Care/Dexcom, San Diego, CA), approved by the FDA for clinical use by children and adults.

In 2008 he received the U.S. Diabetes Technology Leadership Award; in 2011 he was named the UVA’s Edlich-Henderson Inventor of the Year, and in 2013 he was the recipient of JDRF’s Gerold and Kayla Grodsky Award presented for outstanding scientific contributions to diabetes research. In 2020, he was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.