Katherine Samaras

Katherine Samaras is a consultant physician and endocrinologist at St. Vincent's Clinic in Sydney, Australia and Theme Leader for Healthy Ageing Research at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. She is also a Professor at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales

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

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.

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.’”

Awards and recognition

2019 — Samaras was awarded almost $2 million for a Boosting Dementia Research grant. 2013 — The HeAL Declaration (Healthy Active Lives) tabled in the House of Lords (UK) as part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists “Parity of Esteem” Presentation. 2013 — The HeAL Declaration (Healthy Active Lives) adopted by NSW Government. 2013 — EuroHeAL Declaration launched, Kortenburg (Belgium). 2013 — Invitee, Ministerial Summit, Parliament House 24 May 2013. National Summit on Physical in Mental Health: Addressing the premature death of people with mental illness. 2011 — NSW Health Awards Finalist, Award for Excellence in Mental Health. 2010 — Don Chisholm–GSK Clinical Fellowship. 2005 — NHMRC–Diabetes Australia RD Wright Fellowship /Career Development Award. 2001 — Diabetes Australia Fellowship, Royal Australasian College of Physicians.