Fellowship honours paediatrics expert

Professor Jennifer Couper, Head of the Discipline of Paediatrics at Adelaide Medical School, has been elected as a fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Professor Couper is a practising clinician and researcher who finds innovative solutions to help children with type 1 diabetes, and those at risk.

"It's been a privilege to work with some of the best minds in Australia and internationally to start to solve some of the questions to really help these children and their families in a meaningful way. Being recognised by the same experts is a big honour,” said Professor Couper.

“There has been an explosion in advances over the last 10 years for children with type 1 diabetes, and being part of that has been very exciting."

Professor Couper runs the first global investigation of the early life origins of type 1 diabetes and co-leads prevention trials. Through her work, she has found ways to detect cardiovascular disease early in children with type 1 diabetes.

Professor Couper also trains paediatric endocrinologists, writes international guidelines, and facilitates international training on the International Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Diabetes Advisory Council.

Professor Anton Middelberg is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Adelaide.

“I congratulate Professor Couper for her Fellowship which recognises her ground-breaking work that will benefit so many people,” said Professor Middelberg.

“Adelaide Medical School has a well-established international reputation for expanding knowledge and delivering high-impact research. Professor Couper’s achievements stand out in the University of Adelaide’s community of world-leading researchers.”

"It's been a privilege to work with some of the best minds in Australia and internationally to start to solve some of the questions to really help these children and their families in a meaningful way. Being recognised by the same experts is a big honour."Professor Jennifer Couper, Head of the Discipline of Paediatrics at Adelaide Medical School.

Professor Danny Liew is the Dean and Head of the Adelaide Medical School.

“This Fellowship acknowledges Professor Couper’s dedication to improve people’s health and wellbeing by preventing type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular complications,” he said.

“The Adelaide Medical School is fortunate and proud to have Professor Couper among our stellar team.”

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences fellows represent Australia’s leading minds in health and medical sciences, recognised for their clinical, non-clinical, leadership, industry and research contributions.

Professor Couper joins recently appointed fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences from the University of Adelaide including Professors Jodie Dodd, Helen Marshall, Peter Wormald, Prashanthan Sanders, and many more.

Fellows are elected once a year, and a full list of 2022 fellows can be found on the AAHMS website.