Researcher Spotlight 2026

Dr Sarah Black is a Paediatric Endocrinologist at the Perth Children's Hospital (PCH), and Clinican Researcher at The Kids Research Institute Australia (The Kids). She was awarded a Telethon Trust Research Fellowship in 2025 along with being selected for the CAHS-PCHF-UWA-TKRIA Clinician Researcher Pathway program. 

We had a quick chat with Sarah to find out why she got involved in diabetes research and what she thinks will be the biggest T1D research breakthroughs in the next 10 years.

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What is your role and how long have you been working in diabetes research for?

I am a clinican researcher and paediatric endocrinologist. I have been involved in diabetes research in some capacity for the last 4 years. Some of this time I was simultaneously completing my paediatric endocrinology training but for the last 2.5 years I have been more focused on diabetes research undertaking a telethon fellowship and currently completing a PhD through the CAHS  PhD pathway scholarship program.

My area of focus is in early-stage type 1 diabetes and I also help to run the diabetes immune therapy trial activity at PCH/ the kids. 

Why did you get into T1D research?

T1D research, especially early-stage T1D research, is a rapidly evolving field and it is a really exciting time to be a part of it. I am really passionate about being able to provide the best, most up to date, evidence-based care to the children I look after. Being involved in cutting edge research is the best way to ensure this and to play a part in speeding up the translation of research from the lab to the clinic room.

What are the current research projects you are working on?

In 2024 I was part of a project, led by A/Prof Aveni Haynes, where the type 1 diabetes community and clinical teams co-designed a new care pathway for those with early stage T1D. From May 2025 I have been running a project to implement this co-designed pathway.  

I also help to support projects screening for T1D, providing access to immune modulating therapies and database projects reviewing what has happened before.

What do you think will be the biggest T1D research breakthroughs in the next 10 years?

We now understand that type 1 diabetes can be identified before symptoms and the need for insulin, called early stage type 1 diabetes. Early stage T1D is defined as stage 1 and stage 2. Stage 3 is the point of high blood sugar levels, symptoms and the start of insulin and stage 4 is long term T1D.

I think the future of diabetes research includes advancements that help people live better and healthier at every stage of T1D, from 1-4. This includes immune modulating therapies that hopefully in the future may indefinitely delay the progression from early-stage T1D to stage 3 T1D. At stage 3 T1D this may also look like immune therapies that prolong the honeymoon period but also cutting-edge technology, including fully closed loop automated insulin delivery systems or even systems that include dual insulin and glucagon delivery. At stage 4 T1D this will also include the aforementioned technological advancements but also islet cell transplants. 

What do you like to do outside of your work?

lots of things! I love to be outside in nature, especially going for daily walks (and swims when the weather permits) at my local beach. I also love snorkelling, especially at Rottnest island. 

l love to read, and to do various crafts, most recently rug tufting.  I really enjoy music, especially going to see live music,  and even better if I can support local Perth bands!