A University of Sheffield researcher, Gordon Sloan, NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Diabetes and Endocrinology has been awarded the prestigious Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) Rising Star Award and Lecture, recognising innovative and impactful contributions to diabetes research.
Presented annually at the ABCD Annual Conference, the award celebrates early-career clinicians and scientists who have made original and significant advances in diabetes care and research, highlighting emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the field.
This year’s award recognises important work in the field of diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage caused by long-term high blood sugar levels. This common condition can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and loss of sensation, starting in the feet.
The research integrates clinical, neuroimaging, and peripheral nerve-based approaches to uncover why some individuals develop painful neuropathy while others do not, and to identify biological markers that could guide earlier diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Gordon’s neuroimaging studies, published in leading journals including Diabetes Care (2023) and Diabetes (2023, 2024), have revealed how structural and functional changes in the brain are linked to different types of diabetic neuropathy. Additional involvement in work published in Diabetologia (2023) identified key risk factors for developing pain in diabetic neuropathy, while landmark trials such as The Lancet (2022) explored new treatments for neuropathic pain.
Beyond these studies, Gordon has made broader contributions to the international diabetes research community through leadership of the NEUROdiab Youth Committee, which supports and connects early-career scientists in diabetic neuropathy. His achievements have also been recognised through the NEUROdiab Young Investigator Award and multiple national and international presentation prizes.
Reflecting on the recognition, Gordon said: “It’s an honour to receive the ABCD Rising Star Award. It reflects not only my work but also the support of exceptional mentors such as Professor Solomon Tesfaye and Dr Dinesh Selvarajah, as well as the collaborators and participants who make this research possible. Recognition like this reinforces the importance of continued investment in early-career clinician scientists striving to improve outcomes for people with diabetic neuropathy.”
The Sheffield research team is leading several studies aimed at detecting and treating diabetic neuropathy earlier and more effectively. These include a Breakthrough T1D funded study exploring whether early nerve function measures in young people with type 1 diabetes can predict future neuropathy risk; and conducting the OCEANIC Trial (One-stop sCrEening ANd Intensified Care), which tests whether intensive multifactorial interventions can reverse early-stage DPN.
Ongoing research, supported by the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, is examining how these brain changes evolve over time. In parallel, studies funded by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists/Diabetes Care Trust, and the Sheffield Hospitals Charity are exploring cerebral and skin-based biomarkers to develop objective diagnostic tools for painful diabetic neuropathy and improve treatment precision.
Looking ahead, Gordon aims to develop a precision medicine framework for diabetic neuropathy by identifying biomarkers that predict pain risk, disease progression, and treatment response. By integrating longitudinal clinical data with mechanistic, neuroimaging, and biomarker-based approaches, this work seeks to refine the understanding of disease heterogeneity and enable more targeted, patient-specific interventions.
Gordon added: “Ultimately, my goal is to translate these discoveries into improved clinical tools and therapies that will deliver personalised care and better outcomes for people living with diabetic neuropathy.”