Katherine Samaras

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Katherine Samaras
Alma mater University of New South Wales (PhD)
Scientific career
Fieldsendocrinology, obesity
Institutions Garvan Institute of Medical Research
St Vincent's Clinic
University of New South Wales
Thesis The genetic versus environmental determinants of total and central abdominal adiposity [1]  (2000)

Katherine Samaras is the laboratory head at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. She holds positions at St Vincent's Clinic, and University of New South Wales, [2] as well as the University of Notre Dame.

Contents

Career

Samaras works in clinical care in endocrinology and metabolism, including diabetes, metabolism and obesity, thyroid conditions, polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis, as well as adrenal and pituitary conditions. She is the clinical face for the campaign NSW Health’s "Make Healthy Normal". She is an editor of the open access obesity journal Frontiers in Endocrinology.

Samaras gave a TEDx talk on preventable conditions and health, "our most valuable public resource, which we should do everything to protect" titled "Starve to Survive", with 70 000 views on intermittent fasting. She describes obesity, diabetes, as based on the lifestyle, of reduced exercise, increased food consumption, and on genetic differences. [3]

Samaras had over 140 publications, and an H index of 40, as at July 2019. [4] She is also co-author of three books. With Ian N. Scobie she wrote Fast Facts: Diabetes Mellitus, now in its 5th edition. [5] She also co-wrote two books with Garry Egger — Professor Trim's Quick Start weight-loss program for diabetes and blood sugar control [6] and Professor Trim's Quick Start : the weight-loss program for new mothers and mothers-to-be [7] — both published by Allen & Unwin.

Obesity research

Samaras described the weight and seasonal changes. Global studies show people putting on weight when seasons change, and Samaras urged people in NSW not to fall for the same trap in a NSW Health publication in 2018. Obesity is a serious public health issue with one in two adults in NSW being overweight or obese. [8]

Samaras stated, “The hibernation pattern of animals such as bears is well known but people don't always think about how their habits change too when temperatures drop”.

“The winter months cause changes to our internal biological clocks – our circadian rhythms – which affects how we sleep and when we wake, our metabolism, our desire to be outdoors and even perhaps our desire for richer foods.” She points out, “In the US, studies indicate people commonly put on 2–3 kg in autumn and winter. We don't have specific data on seasonal inactivity in Australia, but our experience is likely to be similar and for some people those small gains each year will accumulate.” [8]

A 2019 article reported that genomic map revealed that "not all fat is created equal". Her study showed the first comprehensive genomic map that revealed unique features, which appear to ‘hard-wire’ different types of fat early in cell development. [9]

Archibald Prize

A portrait of Samaras was a finalist in the 2019 Archibald Prize, painted by Sinead Davies, who has been managed by endocrinologist Samaras for some years for a serious health issue. Davies described Samaras’s composure “‘Her composure, professionalism and humanity instantly impressed me,’ says Davies. ‘The sitting was done in her office, where she mostly consults, and where she has surrounded herself with objects that she loves, including an Asian folding screen featuring white flowers and a small bird. In feng shui, birds signify the arrival of good news and opportunities, and flowers indicate a love of nature.’” [10]

Awards and recognition

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body mass index</span> Relative weight based on mass and height

Body mass index (BMI) is a value derived from the mass (weight) and height of a person. The BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height, and is expressed in units of kg/m2, resulting from mass in kilograms (kg) and height in metres (m).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity</span> Medical condition in which excess body fat harms health

Obesity is a medical condition, sometimes considered a disease, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health. People are classified as obese when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's weight divided by the square of the person's height—is over 30 kg/m2; the range 25–30 kg/m2 is defined as overweight. Some East Asian countries use lower values to calculate obesity. Obesity is a major cause of disability and is correlated with various diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weight loss</span> Reduction of the total body mass

Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health, or physical fitness, refers to a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat, or lean mass. Weight loss can either occur unintentionally because of malnourishment or an underlying disease, or from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state. "Unexplained" weight loss that is not caused by reduction in calorific intake or increase in exercise is called cachexia and may be a symptom of a serious medical condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-carbohydrate diet</span> Diets restricting carbohydrate consumption

Low-carbohydrate diets restrict carbohydrate consumption relative to the average diet. Foods high in carbohydrates are limited, and replaced with foods containing a higher percentage of fat and protein, as well as low carbohydrate foods.

Calorie restriction is a dietary regimen that reduces the energy intake from foods and beverages without incurring malnutrition. The possible effect of calorie restriction on body weight management, longevity, and aging-associated diseases has been an active area of research.

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Healthy diet</span> Type of diet

A healthy diet is a diet that maintains or improves overall health. A healthy diet provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid, macronutrients such as protein, micronutrients such as vitamins, and adequate fibre and food energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garvan Institute of Medical Research</span>

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an Australian biomedical research institute located in Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales. Founded in 1963 by the Sisters of Charity as a research department of St Vincent's Hospital, it is now one of Australia's largest medical research institutions, with approximately 750 scientists, students and support staff.

Amanda Sainsbury-Salis is an Australian medical researcher, educator and author. Her research interests are hypothalamic control of body weight, famine reaction, metabolism, body composition, anorexia, obesity, eating disorders.

Intermittent fasting is any of various meal timing schedules that cycle between voluntary fasting and non-fasting over a given period. Methods of intermittent fasting include alternate-day fasting, periodic fasting, such as the 5:2 diet, and daily time-restricted eating.

Maternal obesity refers to obesity of a woman during pregnancy. Parental obesity refers to obesity of either parent during pregnancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity and the environment</span> Overview of environmental factors affecting the incidence of obesity

Obesity and the environment aims to look at the different environmental factors that researchers worldwide have determined cause and perpetuate obesity. Obesity is a condition in which a person's weight is higher than what is considered healthy for their height, and is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Obesity can result from several factors such as poor nutritional choices, overeating, genetics, culture, and metabolism. Many diseases and health complications are associated with obesity. Worldwide, the rates of obesity have nearly tripled since 1975, leading health professionals to label the condition as a modern epidemic in most parts of the world. Current worldwide population estimates of obese adults are near 13%; overweight adults total approximately 39%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anoop Misra</span> Indian endocrinologist

Anoop Misra is an Indian endocrinologist and a former honorary physician to the Prime Minister of India. He is the chairman of Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol (C-DOC) and heads, National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC). A former Fellow of the World Health Organization at the Royal Free Hospital, UK, Misra is a recipient of the Dr. B. C. Roy Award, the highest Indian award in the medical category. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2007, for his contributions to Indian medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadaf Farooqi</span> British consultant physician

Ismaa Sadaf Farooqi is a Wellcome Trust Senior Research fellow in Clinical Science, professor of Metabolism and Medicine at the University of Cambridge and a consultant physician at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK.

Clare Elizabeth Collins is an Australian dietician who is Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle. She serves as Director for Research in the School of Health Sciences and Deputy Director of the Priority Research Centre. She was awarded the 2017 Hunter Medical Research Institute Researcher of the Year and is a Fellow of Dietitians Australia.

Lesley Veronica Campbell is an Australian endocrinologist and Professor of Medicine with a special interest in clinical diabetes, appetite and metabolism. She is a principal research fellow at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuilin Zhang</span> Chinese epidemiologist and physician-scientist

Cuilin Zhang is a Chinese-American epidemiologist and physician-scientist researching the roles of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and obesity and health consequences of these complications. Zhang is a senior investigator and acting chief of the epidemiology branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Endocrine & Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) is one of Tehran University of Medical Sciences research institute with a mission to combine clinical care, research, and education in diabetes, endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Eleftheria Maratos-Flier is an American endocrinologist, and emerita Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, best known for her expertise in the pathophysiology and prevention of obesity-related metabolic disorders, and for her discoveries on the neuroendocrine control of feeding behaviour. She is a contributing author to known textbooks and reviews in internal medicine, endocrinology, and physiology. Her marriage with professor Jeffrey Flier, was noted by Forbes as a lasting and productive bond between eminent medical scholars. They have two adult daughters who are also physicians. She is also known as Terry Maratos-Flier.

Garry Egger AM is an Australian academic and author, particularly recognized for his work in health promotion, preventive health and lifestyle medicine. He has authored more than 35 books — several that are used as textbooks at various universities — and over 130 peer-reviewed articles collectively garnering over 3600 citations, with significant contributions to areas such as weight management and chronic disease prevention. He is notably the founder of Gutbusters, a men's weight loss program.

References

  1. ↑ Samaras, Katherine; University of New South Wales. Clinical School - St Vincent's Hospital; University of New South Wales (2000), The genetic versus environmental determinants of total and central abdominal adiposity
  2. ↑ "Prof Katherine Samaras — St Vincents Clinic". www.stvincentsclinic.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  3. ↑ TEDxSydney — Katherine Samaras — Starve to Survive , retrieved 30 July 2019
  4. ↑ "Scopus preview — Scopus — Author details (Samaras, Katherine)". www.scopus.com. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  5. ↑ Scobie, Ian N., 1950-. Fast facts. diabetes mellitus. Samaras, Katherine., McLean, Dee (Fifth ed.). Oxford, England. ISBN   9781908541635. OCLC   876043773.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Samaris, Katherine. (2003). Quick start weight-loss program for diabetes and blood sugar control. Egger, Garry. Crows Nest, NSW, Australia: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   9781741141153. OCLC   765144921.
  7. ↑ Samaris, Katherine. (2003). Quick start : the weight loss program for new mothers and mothers-to-be. Egger, Garry. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1741155282. OCLC   123539129.
  8. 1 2 "Warm up with exercise, not comfort food as temps drop — News". www.health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  9. ↑ "Genomic 'map' reveals not all fat is equal | Garvan Institute of Medical Research" . Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  10. ↑ "Archibald Prize Archibald 2019 finalist: The endocrinologist – Professor Katherine Samaras by Sinead Davies". www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  11. ↑ Rahja, Miia; Laver, Kate; Comans, Tracy; Crotty, Maria (13 August 2018). "What Does the Australian General Public Know About Treatments for Dementia? A Population Survey". Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 4: 233372141879344. doi:10.1177/2333721418793442. ISSN   2333-7214. PMC   6090500 . PMID   30128330.
  12. ↑ "Healthy Active Lives (HeAL)". National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  13. ↑ "What is HEAL?". iphYs. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  14. ↑ "Garvan Annual Report". Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  15. ↑ "Breakthrough". Garvan Institute of Medical Research. December 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  16. 1 2 "Prof Katherine Samaras". Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
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