Vision Scientist Ben Thompson awarded New Zealand's top scientific prize

Professor Ben Thompson is part of an inter-disciplinary research team that won New Zealand’s 2021 Te Pūiaki Putaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize, for changing international neonatal hypoglycemia practice.The prize is New Zealand's top award for scientific discoveries that have had a significant economic, health, social and/or environmental impact around the world.

Thompson, a professor in the School of Optometry & Vision Science and University Research Chair, is part of the award-winning inter-disciplinary neonatal glucose studies research team out of the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute. Over the past 20 years, this team’s research has been central in developing new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent blood sugar imbalance in babies. Their research into neonatal hypoglycemia has changed practice around the world, saving millions of health-care dollars and improving the lives of mothers and babies worldwide. 

Key discoveries have included the use of dextrose (sugar) gel immediately after birth, which is now recommended internationally as a first-line treatment for low blood sugar. Other significant contributions have included the development of Gluco-Light, a non-invasive glucose monitoring device that reduces the need for repeated heel-prick tests and a new evidence-based method for testing vision in young children with hypoglycemia.

Thompson said their research team was inspired to do this research because the problem of understanding and treating blood sugar in babies has been around for decades.

“Almost a third of all babies are born at risk of having low blood sugar. It is a very common problem that, without a solution, could lead to irreversible brain injury and other complications later in life.”

Tackling such a broad range of questions over the past 20 years of study – including what low blood sugar does to a child’s vision and an understanding of what they see – has required a broad range of skills in the team, says Thompson.

The Neonatal Glucose Studies Team is led by Professor Dame Jane Harding and includes: Dr Jane Alsweiler (University of Auckland), Professor Geoff Chase (University of Canterbury), Dr Richard Edlin, (University of Auckland), Professor Greg Gamble, (University of Auckland), Dr Deborah Harris, (Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington), Associate Professor Chris McKinlay, (University of Auckland), Jenny Rogers, (University of Auckland), Professor Benjamin Thompson, (University of Waterloo), Professor Trecia Wouldes, (University of Auckland) and Dr Phil Weston, (Waikato District Health Board).

Presented by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during the May 31st ceremony, the team will receive a $500,000 prize that will allow researchers to keep progressing in their work, including their ongoing work to develop a national guideline in New Zealand to support the management of babies at risk of hypoglycemia.

“I congratulate all the winners for their dedication, innovation, and hard work which will deliver solutions for everyone’s benefit,” said Ayesha Verrall, New Zealand's Associate Research, Science and Innovation Minister.

To learn more about the Neonatal Glucose Studies Team and their research, please visit the 2021 Te Pūiaki Putaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize and the story on Waterloo News.