Friday 17 July 2020 1:01pm
Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research (EDOR) members are involved in a diverse range of research areas, and several EDOR members have recently been awarded funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC).
Professor Dave Grattan and his team in the Department of Anatomy are investigating a neuronal circuit in the brain that is essential for a mother to look after her offspring. This research will also provide new insights into the hormonal regulation of maternal behaviour, and how hormones facilitate the development of maternal-infant bonds.
Associate Professor Rosalina Richards and Dr Moana Theodore are part of a research team investigating influences such as education on the health of Pacific families. Led by Dr Jesse Kokaua, the project team will explore relationships between education and health within the Statistics New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure and the ongoing Pacific Island Families Study.
In partnership with colleagues from Pasifika Futures and Moana Research, these models will then be refined and translated into intervention options in collaboration with Pacific families and Pacific Health and Education Providers.
Successful HRC project grants
- A neural circuit required for maternal adaptation to pregnancy, Professor Dave Grattan, 36 months, $1,199,971.30
- Lighted Paths and Connecting Pathways: Education, Health and Pacific families, Dr Jesse Kokaua, 36 months, $1,199,999.55
Read more about the research projects
- Otago scientists secure more than $26m for health research, University of Otago, Tuesday 30 June, 2020
- Why mothers care: New study on how pregnancy hormones change the brain, Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Wednesday 1 July, 2020
- Research at the Centre for Pacific Health, University of Otago