Diabetes SA Research Grant Program 2020
Diabetes SA announced that the following researchers have been successful in securing funding from the Diabetes SA Research Grant Program.
Each will be awarded with $100,000 for their research project:
- Dr Megan Penno
The University of Adelaide, Women’s & Children’s Hospital & Walter & Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research
For deep profiling for early biomarkers of progression to islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in mother-infant dyads participating in the ENDIA study. - Dr David Jesudason
The University of Adelaide & The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
For addressing life threatening ketoacidosis associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and key antidiabetic medicines. - Dr Cher-Rin Chong
The University of Adelaide, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research & The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
For a novel strategy for cardiovascular protection in type 2 diabetes.
2020 Diabetes SA Research Grants Recipients
Research Grants Program 2020 – awarded $100,000
Deep profiling for early biomarkers of progression to islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes in mother-infant dyads participating in the ENDIA study.
Dr Megan Penno, The University of Adelaide, Women’s & Children’s Hospital & Walter & Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research
From growing up in country Victoria, to a PhD exploring protein in sheep, Dr Penno has always held an interest in what causes conditions and finding the first biological “red flags”, or biomarkers, that something is going wrong.
She came to SA in 2006, after graduating from the University of Melbourne, and joined a newly opened proteomics laboratory at the University of Adelaide. There she worked with a team looking for biomarkers of stomach cancer with the aim of creating an early diagnostic test.
Dr Megan Penno has remained at University of Adelaide and since 2012, has been the National Project Manager for the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study (endia.org.au). The project is focused on identifying ways to prevent type 1 diabetes and has recruited 1500 women and children across Australia.
Dr Penno and her team intend to look at the link between environmental exposures early in life that trigger the body’s immune system to attack and destroy the insulin producing cells in the pancreas, which leads to type 1 diabetes. Understanding what causes type 1 diabetes and identifying biomarkers of the earliest stages of the condition will open a doorway to preventing type 1 diabetes in the future.
Dr Penno said, “Programs such as the Diabetes SA Research Grants Program are extremely important since national funding programs are becoming increasingly competitive and SA is leading the way with this ENDIA project”.
We wish Dr Penno and her team all the very best and look forward to welcoming her at future speaking engagements.
Research Grants Program 2020 – awarded $100,000
For addressing life threatening ketoacidosis associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and key antidiabetic medicines.
Dr David Jesudason – The University of Adelaide and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Dr David Jesudason came to Adelaide from Singapore with his family when he was 6 years old. He went on to study to be a doctor at Adelaide University, ultimately becoming a leading endocrinologist.
After receiving further training in London, he returned to Adelaide working at the RAH and also inprivate practice. Dr Jesudason is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.
In 2007, Dr Jesudason commenced his PhD at the CSIRO. The PhD looked at comparing high and normal protein diets and their effect on bone health. After he completed his PhD, Dr Jesudason worked full time at the QEH as the Head of Endocrinology Unit but also worked in Aboriginal health clinics in Ceduna, Port Augusta and Yalata.
The Diabetes SA Research Grants Program will fund the research into the SGLT2 inhibitors which are an excellent new class of drug used for people living with type 2 diabetes. The drug is used to lower blood glucose but there has been a rise in the number of type 2 patients developing diabetes ketoacidosis when using it. This is a condition normally found only in people with type 1 diabetes.
This ketoacidosis often develops when the patient is unwell or when undergoing major surgery. “By understanding how ketoacidosis develops in type 2 diabetics on these medications, we are hoping to predict who are most at risk so we can take preventative measures”, said Dr Jesudason.
“From a clinician’s point of view, the Diabetes SA Research Grants Program is an excellent initiative, and all made possible by the generosity of their donors. This investment will ultimately give back to the community in the future”, Dr Jesudason concluded.
Research Grants Program 2020 – awarded $100,000
For a novel Strategy for cardiovascular protection in type 2 diabetes.
Dr Cher-Rin Chong – The University of Adelaide, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research & The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Dr Cher-Rin Chong never dreamed of becoming a researcher but her natural curiosity and interest to understand the dynamics and processes of medications and their guidelines, had other ideas for her.
Dr Chong was born and raised in Malaysia but came to Adelaide to study to be a pharmacist at the University of South Australia. She describes her seven-year career at the QEH as “rewarding” but decided to undertake a PhD, securing a place under esteemed cardiology Professor John Horowitz.
When asked about was the most surprising learnings form her PhD, Dr Chong said it was the “soft skills” she had not expected that improve many aspects of her life.
“I learned things like project management, time management, critical thinking and problem solving” she said.
After her PhD, Dr Chong applied for a Fellowship at the prestigious Oxford university and was successful in attaining a 3-year placement.
In 2019, Dr Chong submitted an application for the Diabetes SA Research Grant Program and was absolutely astounded to be selected as one of only three recipients of $100.000.
Her research project looks in the diabetic heart and the higher risk of developing heart disease. Heart disease is the biggest cause of death for people with diabetes and it takes many different forms; heart attack, heart failure, atrial fibrillation (unusual heart rhythm).
A vision to grow the research funding
With a vision to grow the research funding so as to have a greater impact, the Board set a target of awarding $300,000 in total to three researchers extending applications across all research areas for prediabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. CEO of Diabetes SA – Angelique Pasalidis said “Being able to offer double the amount of funding provided to a researcher in the last round was a priority”.
President of the Association – Peter Crouch stated “In our second round of grant funding we have been astounded by the quality of applications received some 18 in total seeking $1.8m collectively in funding. Through the expertise of the co-opted specialist advisors including Professor Toby Coates, Professor Jennifer Couper, Honorary Consultant Endocrinologist to Diabetes SA Dr Anthony Roberts, Dr David Jesudason and Dr Helen Banwell the Board are confident that the three researchers and their respective research will have a direct impact on people living with diabetes”.
Chair of the Research Sub-Committee – Geoff Weeks said “As a not for profit, member based organisation who has been providing services to people living with and at risk of diabetes for over 67 years, we are particularly proud to be able to provide funding for vital research and without the generous support of our members and donors we would not be able to offer such significant funding or support the work of these researchers. Our sincere appreciation must also be extended to the five co-opted specialist advisors who each were very giving of their time, knowledge and expertise in the review process. Thank you also to the Board Members who supported the committee including Vice President Monika Kruger and Committee Member Gary Neave.”
We wish Dr Penno, Dr Jesudason and Dr Chong every success and will look forward to bringing you regular updates as they each progress their research areas.
