Kazakh researcher Dinara Galieva links nutrition to chronic diseases in children

Dinara Galieva, a physician and researcher from Astana, Kazakhstan, has spent over a decade investigating chronic diseases in children. Her work centres on how nutrition shapes health, particularly in conditions like diabetes and kidney disease. Now leading projects at Nazarbayev University, she combines clinical practice with advanced scientific research.

Galieva's fascination with medicine began in childhood. She later earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees at Astana Medical University. But her focus soon shifted from clinical work to research, prompting her to pursue a doctoral programme at the University of Edinburgh.

At Edinburgh, she examined the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in children. After completing her studies, she returned to Kazakhstan, where she now oversees multiple research initiatives at Nazarbayev University. Her current projects target pressing health issues in the country, including type 1 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease. In her latest study, Galieva and her team collect biological samples from children with diabetes. These are analysed in the university's laboratories using cutting-edge techniques like metabolomics. Her broader research explores how diet influences the development and progression of chronic illnesses. Beyond her scientific work, Galieva encourages young women to embrace careers in research. She advises them to pursue their passions without fear, emphasising dedication as the key to success.

Galieva's research continues to address critical health challenges in Kazakhstan, particularly among children. By integrating clinical expertise with modern scientific methods, her work aims to uncover links between nutrition and chronic diseases. The findings could help shape future health strategies in the region.