Our practice is led by fellowship-trained, board-certified endocrinologists who share a physician-scientist’s approach to care — rigorous diagnosis, current science, and the time each patient’s problem requires.
Meet Our Physicians
Board-certified endocrinologists and physician-scientists, caring for the full range of endocrine and metabolic conditions.
Darius A. Schneider, MD, PhD
Dr. Darius Schneider is a board-certified endocrinologist and physician-scientist who leads Diabetes & Endocrine Specialists as President and Medical Director. His career bridges three countries and two decades of research and clinical training — from doctoral work in experimental endocrinology in Europe to fellowship training and faculty practice in the United States — and it shapes how the practice cares for patients today: rigorous, current, and unafraid of complex problems.
Training & Background
Dr. Schneider earned his medical degree at the University of Giessen in Germany and completed a doctorate in science and medicine (PhD), conferred Magna Cum Laude, through the University of Giessen and Uppsala University in Sweden, with doctoral research on the biology of transplanted pancreatic islets.
He trained in internal medicine on the physician-scientist track at the University of Heidelberg Medical Center, and pursued postdoctoral research in type 1 diabetes immunology at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology. He then completed a second internal medicine residency at UC San Diego, followed by fellowship training in metabolism, endocrinology and nutrition at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he also served as a senior fellow and acting instructor in medicine and continued immunology research at the Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute.
Board Certifications & Credentials
Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition.
Certified in Internal Medicine by the German Board of Internal Medicine.
Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) — American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
Advanced training certifications in type 1 diabetes care and in bone and mineral disease (Endocrine Society).
California Radiology Supervisor and Operator certification.
Attending physician, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas.
Certified in Internal Medicine by the German Board of Internal Medicine.
Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) — American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
Advanced training certifications in type 1 diabetes care and in bone and mineral disease (Endocrine Society).
California Radiology Supervisor and Operator certification.
Attending physician, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas.
Physician-Scientist & Educator
Dr. Schneider is an active clinical investigator with experience leading observational, cross-sectional, and phase I–III clinical studies, and has served as a scientific advisor to Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, and Senseonics. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in journals including Diabetes Care, Diabetologia, and Clinical Immunology, reviews for leading endocrinology and immunology journals, and has contributed more than 70 expert critiques to the Endocrine Society Reading Room. He serves on the AACE Disease State Network expert committees for diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity.
This research foundation is woven directly into patient care through the practice’s affiliated research center, EndoTrials, giving eligible patients access to emerging therapies.
Clinical Focus
Dr. Schneider cares for the full range of endocrine and metabolic conditions, with particular depth in thyroid disease and interventional thyroid procedures, diabetes and diabetes technology, metabolic and obesity medicine, bone health, and disorders of the adrenal and pituitary glands. He is certified in diagnostic neck ultrasound and performs minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided thyroid procedures in the office. He speaks English, German, and Romanian fluently, with proficiency in French and Italian.
Uzoma U. Mba, MD, PhD
Dr. Uzoma Mba is a board-certified endocrinologist and physician-scientist who cares for the full range of endocrine and metabolic conditions at Diabetes & Endocrine Specialists. She combines rigorous scientific training with a practical, patient-centered approach — translating complex endocrine physiology into clear, actionable guidance.
Training & Background
Dr. Mba completed her medical degree (MD) and doctorate (PhD) at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Scripps Research Institute, where her doctoral research focused on the molecular biology of cancer and transplant immunology. She completed her fellowship training in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla before joining Diabetes & Endocrine Specialists.
Board Certification & Research
Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism.
Doctoral research in cancer molecular biology and transplant immunology.
Co-author of peer-reviewed publications in Molecular Cancer Research, the American Journal of Transplantation, and the Journal of Neurochemistry.
Presenter at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting; active in the practice’s clinical research mission.
Doctoral research in cancer molecular biology and transplant immunology.
Co-author of peer-reviewed publications in Molecular Cancer Research, the American Journal of Transplantation, and the Journal of Neurochemistry.
Presenter at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting; active in the practice’s clinical research mission.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Mba cares for the full range of endocrine disorders, with particular interest in thyroid disease — including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, nodules, and thyroid cancer — as well as osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease, adrenal disorders, diabetes of all types and diabetes technology, and hormonal conditions in women. She approaches each patient with thoroughness and a commitment to clear, practical guidance.
Request a consultation
To schedule with either physician, call (858) 622-7200 or contact our La Jolla office.
