California Metabolic Research Foundation was founded in 1946 by
Dr. E.F.F. Copp (1899-1969).
Dr. Copp’s notable achievements include:
- helping to discover insulin’s role in diabetes while working with Dr. Frederick Banting at the University of Toronto;
- gaining fame from his paper published on the Standardization of Insulin (1924);
- receiving and invitation by Ellen Browning Scripps, Dr. Copp was second doctor to help start Scripps Metabolic Clinic in La Jolla, CA in 1924;
- working as a clinician focused on basic research.
- becoming an important steward and fundraiser for basic research on diabetes and metabolism;
- the founding of CMRF in 1946, based on an individualist approach;
- funding CMRF solely coming from private sector, never accepting government funds.
In 1970, the CMRF mission was refined, designating the majority of funds to San Diego State University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry through SDSU Research Foundation.
CMRF funds the education of students, including PhD candidates, at San Diego State University, which conducts basic research for on the human metabolism with ends benefiting diabetes and other metabolic deficiencies.
Fun fact: CMRF funded the very first doctoral program in the whole CSU state university system.
California Metabolic Research Foundation 