Waterloo professor awarded New Zealand’s top scientific prize

May 31, 2022 - Professor Ben Thompson is a member of the award-winning inter-disciplinary research team changing international neonatal hypoglycemia practice - By - A University of Waterloo professor has been named a winner of New Zealand's Te Puiaki Putaiao Matua a Te Pirimia Science Prize, the country's top award for scientific discoveries that have had a significant economic, health, social and/or environmental impact around the world. Ben Thompson, a professor in the School of Optometry & Vision Science and 2022 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. Professor 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.