Activities of the Weary Dunlop Foundation Principal Research Fellow in Metabolic Medicine, 2025
Report of the Activities of the Weary Dunlop Foundation Principal Research Fellow in Metabolic Medicine Diabetes and obesity are leading causes of cardiovascular disease. With increasing age, the prevalence of diabetes and obesity increases. Following a diagnosis of diabetes, after a period of more than 10 years, there is risk of development of complications and in particular the risk of development of kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. These metabolic diseases and their complications affect many Veterans and their families. Centre for Research and Education in Diabetes and Obesity (CREDO) at the Repatriation Hospital and The Australian Centre For Accelerating Diabetes Innovations had a very productive and successful year in 2024-2025. We achieved the following:
IMPACT: The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations Research Centre (ACADI) has achieved many milestones. These include running a world first diabetes virtual emergency department in partnership with Victorian Virtual ED, Ambulance Victoria, Diabetes Victoria and Royal Flying Doctors. This service has already reduced hospital admissions with preliminary reports showing 84% diversion rate and > 90% of patients reporting satisfaction with the service. This collaboration led by ACADI has led to ketone testing by ambulance officers in Victoria enabling early identification of diabetes emergency Diabetic Ketoacidosis. This is a significant lifesaving service especially to people living in rural and remote parts of Victoria. We received two awards for this service from Institute of Public Administrators Australia (IPAA) – Leadership Award and People’s Choice Award in 2025.
ACADI also established for the first time Australian Diabetes Clinical Trial Network in Partnership with Diabetes Australia. This is a very important network to streamline and increase quality of clinical trials in Australia.
In addition to above, in the last 3.5years of ACADI, we have achieved the following:
Addressing issues of health inequities– 450+ rural, remote, regional and at risk
Participants participating in clinical trials. Inclusion of 5 Victorian clinical trial sites including remote, rural and Aboriginal communities. Enabled 8 clinical trials, with 40%-60% women representation
Building the diabetes workforce of the future– Created 95+ jobs, scholarships and career awards, trained 2800+ diabetes workers, delivered 33 seminars to 1400+ attendees, secured $10M+ for research
Pipeline of 18 projects across prevention, diagnosis, management, models of care and therapies: 2 projects in market and seeking market expansion, 40% of projects at TRL 4 stage (in or completed clinical trials). These research projects actively underway involving 115 researchers, > 120 peer-reviewed research publications, 33 ACADI events with over 1400 registrants, established first ever Diabetes ACADI Training Program
Other achievements:
Invitation to present at State Parliament on Friends of Diabetes Event
4th ACADI Partnering Summit held on World Diabetes Day 14th of November attracting over 180 guests.
ACADI investigators including Prof Elif Ekinci have secured $9M grant funding aside from the initial government funding to fund ACADI projects in the last 3.5 years.
CLINICAL TRIALS: Centre for Research and Education in Diabetes and Obesity (CREDO) undertook >25 Drug and device trials and 8 investigator-initiated studies. Prof Ekinci is the National Coordinator for three international multicentre trials sponsored by industry. Prof Ekinci co chairs the Australian Diabetes Clinical Trials Network (ADCTN), with Diabetes Australia
PUBLICATIONS: Centre for Research and Education in Diabetes and Obesity published over 25 papers in leading diabetes, obesity and metabolism international journals.
SUPERVISION and Mentoring: Current Phd Students: Dr Cecilia Pham (endocrinology advanced trainee), Dr Aleena Ali (endocrinology advanced trainee), Rodney Kwok, Mr Ray Kelly (Indigenous exercise physiologist), Coralie Cross (Indigenous diabetes nurse educator), Dr Felix Jebasingh, Mariam Hachem, Dr Frank Gao (endocrinologist) Dr George Vinoi. The following post doctorate research fellows are also working in our department Dr Steven James (diabetes nurse educator), Dr Digsu Koye (epidemiologist), Dr Ashani Lecamwasam (nephrologist).
PRESENTATIONS/ENGAGEMENT: The group presented multiple times at virtual leading national and international diabetes, obesity, endocrinology Scientific Meetings, including international meetings. Team has had multiple mentions in the media. Prof Ekinci is a board member of the Clinical Advisory Group to Diabetes Victoria. Prof Ekinci is a member of the Clinical Advisory Committee for Australian Diabetes Society.
A/Prof Ekinci was invited to become a board member of the Clinical Advisory Group to Diabetes Victoria. A/Prof Ekinci is a member of the Clinical Advisory Committee for Australian Diabetes Society. CREDO groups’ publications have continued to receive multiple mentions in the media. ACADI has had significant mentions in the media.
Prof Elif Ekinci MBBS FRACP PhD
Weary Dunlop Foundation Principal Research Fellow in Metabolic Medicine, University of Melbourne