Perspectives on Diabetes Care
This is the official blog of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists where we share recent research and professional opinions on diabetes care and education.
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Enhancing dietary experience for those with gestational diabetes: 2023/2024 ADCES/CBDCE mentored fellowship
Nov 28, 2023, 12:28 PM
By Synneva Hagen-Lillevik
I am excited to share some details about my experience as the 2023/2024 ADCES/CBDCE Mentored Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrated Diabetes Management. After completing my PhD, I wanted to continue contributing to high-quality research in the topic of women’s health, specifically in diabetes. The ADCES/CBDCE fellowship offered the perfect opportunity for me to achieve this and launch my career as a diabetes researcher.
Gestational diabetes mellitus, a condition of insulin resistance and high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy, is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can lead to serious outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Specifically for mothers, there is a very high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Dietary changes are the first-line treatment for gestational diabetes; however, changing one’s diet during pregnancy is stressful and challenging, and often does not lead to better nutrition outcomes. Helping women with gestational diabetes to have a better dietary experience during pregnancy and to reduce risks for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life is my passion, which drives my research program.
I am working with Dr. Sara Simonsen and Dr. Nancy Allen at the University of Utah College of Nursing for the fellowship. So far, the networking, vast experience, and support from the researchers at both the ADCES and the University of Utah College of Nursing are key to helping me become an independent researcher in diabetes. For those interested in applying, I would recommend contacting principal investigators at research-intensive institutions who may act as a mentor in your area of diabetes research. Then, work with them to develop a project suitable for a one-year, full-time research position, with the mindset that the career development aspect of the fellowship can help with future projects/grants in diabetes research. If you are not sure where to start or want more details on the fellowship, contact ADCES at [email protected]! That was the first step I took, and that conversation opened the doors for where I am now. Stay tuned for the results of my research on gestational diabetes and nutrition, and for future work in this understudied topic area in diabetes.