Diabetes researcher wins two awards for DIASTOLIC study work

A clinical researcher has received multiple awards for his work on a major study that investigated how different interventions improved the heart function of people with type 2 diabetes.

Dr Gaurav Gulsin scooped the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Early Career Investigator Award and he also came first place in the British Society of Heart Failure (BSH) Early Career Investigator Competition.

The awards were given for Dr Gulsin’s contribution to the DIASTOLIC study, which compared a low energy diet, an exercise programme and standard care to see which better improved the heart function among those with type 2 diabetes.

He was one of three finalists who presented the study findings at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2019 in Philadelphia earlier this year. He also presented the same study at the British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) 22nd Annual Autumn meeting in London in November.

Dr Gulsin is a clinical researcher at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) – a partnership between Leicester’s Hospitals, the University of Leicester and Loughborough University.

Heart failure is one of the most common complications in people with type 2 diabetes, however the findings of the DIASTOLIC study showed those who followed the supervised exercise programme benefitted the most from improved heart function. Although the low energy diet did not improve heart function, it did have favourable effects on the structure of the heart.

The DIASTOLIC study began as part of an NIHR Fellowship secured by Professor Gerry McCann.

Speaking of Dr Gulsin’s AHA achievement, Professor McCann said: “He was the outstanding presenter of the three finalists and was a superb ambassador for the University of Leicester and NIHR Leicester BRC. This award is just recognition for Gaurav’s excellence and we have already mapped out a plan for his future career.”

Dr Gaurav Gulsin said: “This achievement is testament to the outstanding training provided at the University of Leicester. The support I received during my PhD has enabled me to compete on an international stage, and for this I am incredibly grateful.

“Most importantly, I have had a tremendous amount of fun! I have every intention of keeping up the hard work and hopefully contributing to the continued success of our wonderful institution.”

On receiving the award at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2019, Dr Gulsin said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to receive this accolade on behalf of all my wonderful colleagues who were involved in our research.”