Associate Professor Dorit Samocha-Bonet

Keywords

diabetes

diabetes and endocrinology

Fields of Research (FoR)

Endocrinology, Nutrition and Physiology

SEO tags

Endocrine organs and diseases (incl. diabetes)

Diabetes

Nutrition

Biography

I am a dietitian and clinical researcher at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and an Associate Professor (conjoint) at the School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine & Health.

Before turning to a career in metabolic research, I worked as a clinical dietitian, managing patients with the metabolic syndrome. I obtained a BSc in Nutrition & Dietetics (Hebrew University, Israel, 1992, Cum Laude), MSc in Clinical Biochemistry (Tel Aviv University, Israel 1996) and PhD in Physiology & Pharmacology (Tel Aviv University, Israel 2006).

I established, and currently lead, the Clinical Insulin Resistance group at the Garvan (since 2013), I am the Secretary of the Australian New Zealand Obesity Society (since 2023) and am a consultant to Wellana Health, a venture providing dietitian-prescribed, chef-developed dishes (since 2021).

In 2025, I undertook a convenor role of a third-year course ‘Nutrients & Metabolism’ (DIET3002) in the Bachelor of Nutrition/Master of Dietetics and Food Innovation at the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health.

My Qualifications

PhD, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel (2006)

MSc, Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel (1996)

BSc, Nutritional Sciences, Hebrew University, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, Israel. Cum Laude (1992)

Dietitian (recognition by the Israeli Ministry of Health, Department of Medical Professions, 1993)

My Awards

2022 – UNSW Education Innovation Award for the design of four new B.Sc. / M.Sc. education programs in the School of Health Sciences.

2021 – UNSW Head of School Award for Outstanding Contribution to Health Sciences.

2018 – Award for contribution to early-career peers and postgraduate students, Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

2016 – Top ranked grant application from the Diabetes Australia Research Program (Australian Diabetes Society).

2011 - Recipient of the Skip Martin Early Career Fellowship from the Australian Diabetes Society.

My Research Supervision

Supervision keywords

Areas of supervision

Beyond Insulin: The role of adjunct therapies in shaping eating behaviour in type 1 diabetes (currently open for Nutr/Diet Honours students)

Completed projects:

Personalized Nutrition and Metformin Effects on Metabolic Outcomes and Gut Microbiome in People with Prediabetes or Early-Stage Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Reverse engineering insulin secretion in health and disease

My Engagement

I serve as Secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS), the leading scientific and professional organisation for clinicians and researchers working in obesity prevention and management across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific region. ANZOS contributes to national policy related to obesity, advocacy, and dissemination of obesity research knowledge.

ANZOS webpage

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