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Research and Program Development Manager
Natalie is the Research & Program Development Manager at Diabetes SA. Responsible for leading a research team to undertake a variety of research activities for the purposes of building an evidence base for the prevention, early detection and management of diabetes. A strong scientific evidence base is critical to guide the implementation of new therapies, programs and services to ensure they are appropriate, effective and accessible for all affected by diabetes, to live a healthy life. She will also contribute to raising awareness of outstanding efforts of South Australian and Australian researchers, and will foster strong multi-disciplinary, collaborative, networks as part of a state-wide effort to tackle diabetes and increase funding for research into this condition.
Several of Natalie’s family including her husband live with diabetes. Motivated by family experiences with diabetes, Natalie completed a PhD at the University of Adelaide in the fields of nutrition and disease, including T2D. Over the past 17 years, she has developed a national and international profile for designing, project managing and disseminating the findings from complex clinical trials assessing metabolic, gut, physical and cognitive health outcomes in response to nutrition and exercise exposures in both younger and older adults with chronic conditions including diabetes. She has worked for several world-class research organisations including the Universities of Adelaide and Maastricht (Netherlands) and the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). A career highlight has been her contribution to CSIROs diabetes research team who worked with industry partners to translate their research findings into a series of top-selling low-carbohydrate diet books and ready meals.
In her spare time, Natalie enjoys taxiing her two boys to basketball, cricket, and football, catching up with family and friends and going for walks. She also enjoys her role as a co-opted board member for another outstanding not-for-profit organisation – Meals on Wheels South Australia.