Professor Usman Malabu is head of Translational Research in Endocrinology and Diabetes (TREAD) at the College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University (JCU), Australia. Professor Malabu joined JCU in 2007 and established the TREAD with the aim of carrying out research intended to be translated into improved management of diabetes and endocrine diseases. Trained as endocrinologist, Professor Malabu spent 2 years of his specialist training to obtain experience in experimental and laboratory research techniques in endocrinology and diabetes at the University of Liverpool and Royal Liverpool Hospital, UK. His research commitment is illustrated by his involvement in international and national collaborative studies leading to high-quality publications in peer reviewed journals and scientific presentations worldwide.  Professor Malabu’s current roles include that of Head of JCU's TREAD, Head of JCU/AITHM PNG Diabetes and Tuberculosis Projects in New Ireland Province, and Coordinator of JCU's Coordinator of Year-6 Basic Science Assignment.

Professor Malabu has developed several Telehealth models as solutions for the access issues faced by underserved populations in Australia's Indigenous Communities and PNG's Pacific Islanders in areas of communicable and non-communicable diseases notably diabetes and tuberculosis. These include the Townsville Telediabetes and Teleendocrinology Models based in Australia and m-health interactive voice recognition model in PNG's Kavieng that have attracted national and international recognition with active participation of AITHM, BUPA Health Foundation, Australian Diabetes Society, Queensland Government and World Diabetes Foundation.

His main research theme has been the evaluation of diagnostic, therapeutic and access to care of diabetic foot complications using innovative models that suit rural/remote communities. Novel diagnostic tests for diabetic foot infections in remote areas have been published by TREAD under his leadership while new mode of therapy has been evaluated. These research activities gave rise to national and international conference presentations, publications in highest impact factor journals -Diabetes (USA), British Medical Journal and New England Journal of Medicine. Till date, Professor Malabu has received over $2.5 million grants in the last 3 years from prestigious award organizations: World Diabetes Foundation (WHO-affiliated, Belgium), BUPA Health Foundation and several national innovative funds. Professor Malabu also participated in the international multi-centre trials leading to international acknowledgments, recognition and publications.

 For undergraduate education, he has developed in liaison with JCU College of Medicine Evaluation and Assessment Unit a vertically integrated Clinical Elective curriculum for year-6 JCU students in line with the standard AMC Guidelines.  Professor Malabu has also contributed in developing Basic Science Assignment for year-6 students with excellent feedback including having marked assignments published in international journals. As a member of The Townsville Hospital (TTH) Research Committee he headed a subcommittee for empowering JCU students and postgraduates (as TTH junior doctors) to engage in research while on clinical training with a strong belief that this will assist in return on investment (ROI) to the JCU as its future leaders.  

Teaching

• MD6010: Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 1 of 3 (Level 6; TSV)
• MD6020: Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 2 of 3 (Level 6; TSV)
• MD6030: Advanced Clinical Medicine Part 3 of 3 (Level 6; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Diabetic foot/kidney disease
• Diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• Impact of Diabetes on Indigenous Australian Health
• Metabolic bone disease

Research Disciplines

• Clinical sciences (3202)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)

Awards

• 2016 to 2022 - -$296,707 World Diabetes Foundation for TB and Diabetes in PNG
• 2015 to 2022 - -$498,918 BUPA for Telemedicine DM foot care in rural areas
• 2015 to 2022 - -$95,000 TB and Diabetes in PNG –Queensland Government grant
• 2014 to 2022 - -$400,000 Queensland Government for Innovative diabetic foot project
• 2014 to 2022 - -$55,000 Australian Diabetes Society for Telemedicine in rural areas
• 2013 to 2022 - -$180,000 Novartis: Vildagliptin effects on foot ulcer
• 2012 to 2016 - -$14,500 Regional Diabetes Support Scheme for foot ulcer risk assessment
• 2012 to 2016 - -$19,600 PPTF: Topical sodium thiosulphate in foot ulcer
• 2014 to 2015 - -$8,500 JCU Faculty Grant for new diagnostic DM foot infection test
• 2013 to 2014 - -$8,000 JCU Block Grant to purchase 3-D DM foot camera
• 2012 to 2013 - -$1,750 Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation Research for DM amputation

Fellowships

• 2013 - Fellow Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
• 2006 - Fellow American College of Physicians
• 1991 - Commonwealth Diabetes Research Fellow, University of Liverpool & Royal Liverpool Hospital UK

Memberships

• 2014 - International Editorial Board Member: a. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders 2014-date; b. Austin Endocrinology & Diabetes Case Reports 2016 -date; c. Austin Journal of Endocrinology & Diabetes 2016-date

Other

• 2016 - Chief Scientific Advisor to Nigeria's Charitable Adamawa Diabetes Concern [Patron: Nigeria's First Lady]
• 2016 - Voted best Endocrinologist in Townsville: https://threebestrated.com.au/endocrinologists-in-townsville-qld
• 2012 - Head JCU Translational Research in Endocrinology and Diabetes
• 2016 - WHO/UNDP Diabetes Experts Panelist at the Heads of State/Ministerial Pacific Countries Summit, Tonga
• 2015 - National Speaker on Indigenous Diabetic Foot Baker IDI Diabetes Institute Conference Alice Springs

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Fisher V, Li W and Malabu U (in press) The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the mental health, HbA1C, and mindfulness of diabetes patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Applied psychology: health and wellbeing,
• Rossi J, Vangaveti V and Malabu U (2023) Perioperative management of diabetes audit (POMODA). Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management, 31.
• Biros E, Malabu U, Vangaveti V, Birosova E and Moran C (2022) The IFN-?/miniTrpRS signaling axis: an insight into the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and therapeutic potential. Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews, 64. pp. 7-11
• Rodrigues B, Vangaveti V, Urkude R, Biros E and Malabu U (2022) Prevalence and risk factors of lower limb amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: clinical research & reviews, 16 (2).
• Sharma H, Sharma S, Krishnan A, Yuan D, Vangaveti V, Malabu U and Haleagrahara N (2022) The efficacy of inflammatory markers in diagnosing infected diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic foot osteomyelitis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 17 (4).
• Vangaveti V, Jhamb S, Hayes O, Goodall J, Jacqueline B, Robertson K, Biros E, Sangla K and Malabu U (2022) Effects of vildagliptin on wound healing and markers of inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetic foot ulcer: a prospective, randomized, double?blind, placebo?controlled, single?center study. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 14.
• Waheed F, Vangaveti V and Malabu U (2022) Ischemic heart disease and its risk factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: clinical research & reviews, 16 (2).
• Yuan D, Sharma H, Krishnan A, Vangaveti V and Malabu U (2022) Effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists on albuminuria in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24 (9). pp. 1869-1881
• Ly D, Vangaveti V, Urkude R, Biros E and Malabu U (2021) Metabolic and anthropometric influences on nerve conduction parameters in patients with peripheral neuropathy: a retrospective chart analysis. Neurology International, 13 (2). pp. 166-174
• Vangaveti V, Heyes O, Jhamb S, Haleagrahara N and Malabu U (2021) Usefulness of procalcitonin in diagnosing diabetic foot osteomyelitis: a pilot study. Wounds, 33 (7). pp. 192-196
• Adu M, Malabu U, Malau-Aduli A, Drovandi A and Malau-Aduli B (2020) Efficacy and acceptability of My Care Hub mobile app to support self-Management in Australians with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (7).
• Adu M, Malabu U, Malau-Aduli A, Drovandi A and Malau-Aduli B (2020) User retention and engagement with My Care Hub: a mobile app intervention to support self-management in Australians with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 8 (6).

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 120+ research outputs authored by Prof Usman Malabu from 1992 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Growth Factors and their response to Medication in Diabetic Foot Ulcer healing (Masters , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• Enhancing diabetes self-management through mobile phone application (2021, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.