The pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of both hepatitis C infection - the most common cause of liver disease in United States - and diabetes have been identified by the National Institutes of Health as high- priority areas of health research. The research goals are to continue to conduct clinical investigation in viral hepatitis and its complications that will provide insight into the relationship between hepatitis C and insulin action as well as host and viral interactions in disease pathogenesis. This research plan will provide mentoring and research training opportunities for new and junior clinical investigators in predictive modeling, in complex disease interactions, and in performing state-of-the-art physiologic measurements of insulin resistance and insulin secretion. In addition, the resources from her ongoing research activities will support mentees in performing patient-oriented research in viral hepatitis. This award will provide support in mentoring early stage investigators in performing patient-oriented multidisciplinary research in viral hepatitis and glucose metabolism. Hepatitis C is the most common cause of liver disease and liver transplantation in United States and is frequently associated with diabetes. The studies outlined in this proposal will further elucidate the interplay between hepatitis C, host and environmental factors in pathogenesis of diabetes, a condition with high public health burden.