University Partners with RAF to Advance Diabetes Research

Leading academics in the field of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Inflammation (DMI) have embarked on a unique collaboration with the Royal Air Force (RAF) to better understand the issues faced by those with diabetes within a military setting.

This unique partnership between the University of Lincoln and the team at RAF Waddington builds upon shared experiences from RAF personnel and their healthcare support network to enhance research efforts and develop more effective future treatment strategies.

The initiative is spearheaded by Professor Claire Hills and Professor Paul Squires from the University‘s cardio-renal team within the DMI research group. They are working in close collaboration with clinical colleagues from the Lincolnshire Heart Centre, including Professor Kelvin Lee and Dr. Usman Shah from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Dr Maxime Inghels from the Lincoln Institute for Rural & Coastal Health (LIRCH), as well as members of the RAF Waddington’s Diabetes Patient Sensor Support Group. The support group, the first of its kind within the RAF, includes personnel working with the prestigious Red Arrows Aerobatic Team.

In October 2023, Professors Hills and Squires were approached by AS1(T) Oliver Kettle from 51 Squadron at RAF Waddington, who was seeking to involve the team at Waddington more actively in the University’s diabetes research efforts.

Following an initial visit to the University’s state-of-the-art research facilities at the Joseph Banks Laboratories, where updates on the latest diabetes research were shared, the University team was invited by Wing Commander Timothy Price and Maria Burgess (Specialist Practice Nurse) from the RAF Waddington Medical Team to visit the base in June 2024.

During the visit, they engaged with healthcare professionals, patient support members, and the Red Arrows. Discussions focused on progress and future research directions, with a particular emphasis on understanding the mechanisms of new treatment options for type-1 diabetes.

The team were treated to a flyby from the Red Arrows, a tour of their hangar, and discussed how pilots debrief after each training session. This experience provided invaluable insights into the daily challenges faced by RAF personnel, both with and without diabetes, and showcased the exceptional teamwork required to maintain the Red Arrows’ operational readiness.

Professor Paul Squires highlighted the dedication of RAF personnel, stating: “Working in the RAF requires hard work, commitment, and drive. To achieve this with a backdrop of managing diabetes is astounding, and all personnel with the condition, supporting healthcare professionals, and the RAF in general, demand our respect and admiration.”

The collaboration aims to forge reciprocal links that will tailor research projects to the specific needs of end-users in the military. AS1(T) Oliver Kettle from 51 Squadron said: “The hope of the Support Group is to expand similar initiatives more widely across the Royal Air Force and MOD.”

The goal is to transform the understanding of diabetes and develop innovative treatment options that improve the lives of those affected by the condition.