My decision to devote myself to efforts to find a cure for diabetes evolved out of experiences during my Ph.D. training, which focused primarily on theoretical computer science and formal logic. I developed algebraic modelling methods to embryonic development and predicted the existence of a new biochemical pathway, which was tested experimentally. This successful approach led me to want to apply it to a different organ, and to a problem that had more immediate application to helping people afflicted with disease. Thus, I focused on beta-cell regeneration in the pancreas. I was successful in obtaining a CIRM fellowship and used it to study beta-cell regeneration. In that approach, new beta-cells formed by transdifferentiation from pre-existing alpha-cells.