Upfront: Diabetes Wellness Winter 2023

Professors elected as Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi fellows

Professor Rachael Taylor has been elected as a Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellow in recognition of her contribution to the prevention of childhood obesity through high quality research.

Rachael is the Director of Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research (EDOR). She was elected by the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, which recognises distinction in research, scholarship, or the advancement of knowledge at the highest international standards.

As well as being the Director of EDOR, Rachael is the Research Professor, Head of Department, and Karitāne Fellow in Early Childhood Obesity. As one of 34 new Ngā Ahurei Fellows, her research has been in understanding how diet, physical activity, digital screen use, and sleep can impact the health and wellbeing of our tamariki.

Throughout the past two decades, Professor Taylor has led many ‘world first’ research projects that have furthered our understanding of the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

She was an instrumental member of the Otago group, proving that, contrary to the prevailing view, obesity was detrimental to bone health in children. This particular proven research was the first in the world.

We also congratulate Professor Suetonia Palmer, a practising kidney specialist and Professor at the University of Otago, Christchurch.

Suetonia is a kidney specialist who is interested in clinical studies to understand acute kidney injury, kidney failure in people with heart disease, and new ways of measuring kidney function.

She has contributed to the international evidence base underpinning treatment of kidney diseases and diabetes, and their direct impact on patients. Her work has drawn evidence from thousands of studies and trials to describe the evidentiary basis for common conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.

IDF virtual congress

In December this year, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is holding a four-day Virtual Congress. This is the third event in IDF’s educational series focused on diabetes-related complications. At the congress, you can access updates on the latest research, treatments, and tools to manage, treat, and prevent diabetes complications.

The IDF Congress is a core activity of IDF, offering a global platform to discuss a broad range of diabetes issues, from latest scientific advances to cutting-edge information on education, diabetes care, advocacy, and awareness. Participants include physicians, scientists, nurses, educators, and other healthcare professionals, as well as government representatives, policy makers, people with diabetes, IDF members, and media.

Earlybird registrations are available until 30 September. Find out more at idf2023.org.