Award recognizes outstanding efforts in type 1 diabetes research
New York, April 18, 2024—JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, proudly announces Kirstine Bell, Ph.D., as the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Robert Goldstein Award in recognition of her notable contributions to T1D research.
Named for Dr. Robert Goldstein, who played a key role in developing Breakthrough T1D’s Research department and served as chief scientific officer for Breakthrough T1D International and Breakthrough T1D Canada for decades, the award recognizes early career T1D researchers who show great promise for future work in the field.
Dr. Bell is a diabetes educator, dietitian, and the principal research fellow at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney. She leads the Australian T1D National Screening Pilot, a national feasibility, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness program to determine the optimal method for routine, publicly funded national screening program for all Australian children. She has served in a critical role as a co-first author on the 2022 ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guideline: Stages of T1D in children and adolescents.
“Breakthrough T1D is honored to present this award to Dr. Bell and celebrate her leadership in advancing type 1 diabetes research that has expanded the field’s understanding of the stages of T1D and the importance of screening and monitoring in early stages,” said Breakthrough T1D Chief Scientific Officer Sanjoy Dutta, Ph.D. “Dr. Bell’s insight and research is a core part of Breakthrough T1D’s strategy to improve the lives of those at risk of developing T1D. Her strategic focus and innovation in T1D research will undoubtedly continue to have a profound impact on the T1D community globally.”
Breakthrough T1D Research Award recipients were recognized at a ceremony in New York City earlier in April 2024.
About Breakthrough T1D
JDRF’s mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, Breakthrough T1D has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally and globally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a global stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our five international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement, and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter (@JDRF), Facebook (@myjdrf), and Instagram (@jdrfhq).
About Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
T1D is an autoimmune condition that causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all. This leads to dependence on insulin therapy and the risk of short or long-term complications, which can include highs and lows in blood sugar; damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and heart; and even death if left untreated. Globally, it impacts nearly 9 million people. Many believe T1D is only diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, but diagnosis in adulthood is common and accounts for nearly 50% of all T1D diagnoses. The onset of T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. There is currently no cure for T1D.
