Research Advisory Committee

Chair

The complexities of life become magnified by daily diabetes management: forward planning, timing of meals and medication, “just in case” supplies… the list goes on. This experience has led to a passion for helping others who are in the same situation: both the people with diabetes and those who love and care for them.

Having worked as an educator for the last 40 years, Lynn understands the importance of planning, structure and teamwork when working towards the achievement of goals. She recognises that decision-making needs to be based on sound knowledge and strong data. And she knows individuals matter, which is why she is committed to supporting Diabetes SA’s research projects and wide-reaching evidence-based education programs through the Board.

“Being on this Committee means that I can work with researchers and consumers to ensure that the valuable donations from our supporters are invested where they would have long-term, sustainable significance to the South Australian community. “

Claire has extensive marketing and communications experience across a range of sector in London, Sydney and Adelaide with nearly 20 years’ experience in developing strategic marketing and fundraising campaigns. She holds a Masters in Communications Management with the University of South Australia.

Bringing people together with a united vision is a challenge that she enjoys, and her approach is collaborative yet target focused, gaining results by providing practical steps that help organisations achieve their goals.

Claire is passionate about making a positive contribution in the community and enjoy working with organisations whose work puts the needs of their customers/clients at the centre of their operations.

Dr Anthony Roberts is a Consultant Endocrinologist in private practice. He is the Principal Investigator at SA Endocrine Research Pty Ltd and has conducted over two hundred international clinical trials. He is also very committed to post graduate teaching and gives numerous lectures each year.

Anthony’s interests include type 1 and type 2 diabetes with a special interest in insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose sensing, diabetes related complications including neuropathy, diabetes in pregnancy and new agents available through clinical trials.

“I offered my services to the Diabetes SA Research Advisory Committee as an extension of my existing, long term support. Diabetes SA are making these important donations available to diabetes research and wish to support their efforts”. 

Dr Cher-Rin Chong is recognised as a future leader in multidisciplinary research in pharmacology, molecular cardiology, diabetes, and metabolism translating research from bench to bedside. She has numerous achievements from discovering how metabolism affects biochemical signalling and clinical outcomes, to understanding enantiomer-selective pharmacokinetics of drugs.

Her collaborations have led to changes in clinical practice guidelines with these research successes being recognised internationally. She is committed to the education of the next generation of scientists and is passionate about contributing to diabetes research capabilities and professional service activities in South Australia.

“I wanted to do something for Diabetes SA to contribute back for supporting my previous research. It’s a very exciting project and I really wanted to be involved and better serve people living with diabetes and saw it as an exciting opportunity”.

Dr Abe Chandra is a vascular and general surgeon working in the private sector and a military surgeon. With considerable experience in bench-lab and clinical research in Australia and New Zealand most of his research has focused on diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The clinically based research has included urban and rural-remote settings and indigenous and no-indigenous people.

Patient care is paramount to Dr Chandra particularly as he has been treating patients with diabetes for more than 20 years. He has had extensive research experience on the management options for treating diabetes including transplantation of insulin producing islet cells. He is also an enthusiastic educator and is a Senior Lecturer at The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, and Flinders University.

“Diabetes SA are investing in the future through this Research Grants Program. There are so many exciting bodies of work currently forging ahead to understand more about the prevention, detection, and management of diabetes. I want to be a part of that journey in every way I can”. 

Dr Richard Young is a basis scientist, Associate Professor and Director of the Intestinal Nutrient Sensing Group at The University of Adelaide and a Senior Research Fellow at SAHMRI.

“As a former Diabetes SA Grant recipient, I felt I could directly support the efforts of the Association to distribute these vital funds by volunteering my time to the Research Advisory Committee. I know how important these grants are firsthand”.