Professor Fidelma Dunne named 2024 Norbert Freinkel Award recipient by the American Diabetes Association
The award is an historic achievement for Diabetes Research in Ireland.
The American Diabetes Association, the foremost global organisation dedicated to diabetes research and education, has selected Professor Fidelma Dunne as the esteemed Norbert Freinkel Award recipient for 2024. This prestigious award, recognising outstanding scientific achievement in the understanding and treatment of diabetes and pregnancy, is a ground-breaking honour for Professor Dunne and is the first award by the Association to an Irish recipient.
The award acknowledge Professor Dunne’s lifelong dedication to advancing both clinical practice and clinical research in the field of diabetes and pregnancy. Professor Dunne led the EMERGE trial, published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2023. This study alleviated concerns over metformin drug use for mothers with diabetes and their babies.
Professor Dunne was also recently appointed as the interim director of the Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway. She has expressed her gratitude to the Association “I am deeply honoured to receive the Norbert Freinkel Award from the American Diabetes Association. This recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the research team at the University of Galway, Institute for Clinical Trials and the broader Irish diabetes and endocrinology clinical and research community. It reflects not only my own dedication to advancing knowledge and treatment in the critical intersection of diabetes and pregnancy, but also the patients involved in the trial who place their trust in our team and our clinical research.”
“Professor Fidelma Dunne’s ground-breaking work in the field of Diabetes and Pregnancy positions her work her in Galway in an international setting and has significantly contributed to the global understanding of this complex condition. Her leadership and achievements reflect the excellence and commitment to research and clinical advancement at University of Galway.”
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President, University of Galway.
Professor Dunne delivered the Norbert Freinkel Award lecture at the ADA’s Scientific Sessions in Florida last week, where she shared insights from her research and celebrated this achievement with the global diabetes research and education community. This meeting is the world’s largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention and care and more than 11,000 leading global physicians, scientists and health care professionals in attendance.