Dr Alexia Pena Vargas
Associate Prof/Reader
School of Medicine
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Peña is an Associate Professor at The University of Adelaide and a Staff Specialist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She has been the deputy Chair of the Patient Care Ethics Committee at the Women's and Children's Hospital since 2019.Dr Alexia Peña is a Paediatrician originally trained in Colombia, South America. She migrated to Australia in 2000 to complete her training in Paediatric Endocrinology (FRACP). She completed her PhD in 2008 examining early markers of cardiovascular disease and strategies to improve vascular health in children with type 1 diabetes and obesity. Dr Peña has a strong research interest in management of childhood and adolescent obesity; and its comorbidities including Type 2 diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Her research has been published in high impact factor journals and has been presented nationally and internationally. She led the first Australasian guidelines for assessment and management of children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes which were published in MJA in 2020. In 2021, She was asked to be part of the writing group of the International Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes guidelines on paediatric type 2 diabetes published in 2022 and the new working working whihc will be publishing in 2024.Dr Peña is part of the Centre for Research Excellence in the evaluation, management and health care needs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and related health implications. She was involved in the development of international evidence based guidelines to improve the care of adolescents and women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in 2018 and in 2023. In 2018, Dr Peña was selected for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Australia Future Research Leaders Program. This competitive program aims to support researchers in the early-mid stages of their careers to develop leadership potential. In collaboration with interstate researchers in this program Dr Peña will evaluate immune regulatory cells and kidney disease progression in people with type 1 diabetes.In August 2019 Dr Peña was appointed as Deputy ChairPatient Care Ethics Committee Member. In 2019, Dr Peña was appointed as Chair of Admissions working group at the University of Adelaide expanding her research in the education field.Dr Peña is a council member of the Asian Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society (APPES) since the end of 2022 and Co-Chair of the International Guidelines (ICGC) committee since March 2023.In 2023, Dr Peña was appointed as Chair University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Australia and New Zealand Test Management Committee.Last updated January 2024.
Dr Peña has a strong research interest in management of childhood and adolescent obesity; and its comorbidities including Type 2 diabetes and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. She is part of the Centre for Research Excellence in the evaluation, management and health care needs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and related health implications. Dr Peña was involved in the development of international evidence based guidelines to improve the care of adolescents and women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in 2018 and the update release in 2023. Her research also includes evaluation of emotional welbeing in adolescents with Type 2 diabetes or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and strategies to improve quality of life and emotional well being of these girls.
Dr Peña led the first Australasian guidelines for assessment and management of children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes which were published in MJA in 2020. In 2021, Dr Peña was asked to be part of the writing group of the International Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes guidelines on paediatric type 2 diabetes published in 2022.
Dr Peña has also strong research interest into early markers of cardiovascular disease in children with type 1 diabetes or obesity, and strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease from childhood.
In 2018, Dr Peña was selected for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Australia Future Research Leaders Program. This competitive program aims to support researchers in the early-mid stages of their careers to develop leadership potential. In collaboration with interstate researchers in this program Dr Peña will evaluate immune regulatory cells and kidney disease progression in people with type 1 diabetes.
In 2019 Dr Peña was appointed as Chair of Admissions working group at the University of Adelaide expanding her research in the education field.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Deputy Chair University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Australia and New Zealand Test Management Committee | UCAT ANZ |
| 2019 - ongoing | Chair of the School of Medicine MBBS/MD Admissions Working Group | The University of Adelaide |
| 2016 - 2020 | Medical Clinical Council Member | Women's and Children's Hospital |
| 2015 - ongoing | Paediatric Endocrinologist | Children’s, Youth and Women’s Health Service |
| 2013 - ongoing | Patient Care Ethics Committee Deputy Chair | Women's and Children's Hospital |
| 2011 - ongoing | Associate Professor | University of Adelaide |
| 2008 - 2011 | Clinical Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| Date | Type | Title | Institution Name | Country | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Award | The Alice Davey Award | The University of Adelaide | Australia | - |
| 2016 | Nomination | Award nomination for student teaching | - | - | - |
| 2014 | Award | Kaichi Kida APPES Presentation Award | - | - | - |
| 2013 | Invitation | Australian representatives to attend the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology Science School in Haifa Israel | - | - | - |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| French | Can read and understand spoken |
| Spanish; Castilian | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 - 2008 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| 2003 - 2019 | Royal Australasian College of Physicians | Australia | FRACP (PaediatricEndocrinology) |
| 1997 - 2000 | Universidad Nacional | Colombia | Specialist in Paediatrics |
| 1990 - 1995 | Pontificia Universidad Javeriana | Colombia | MD |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Witchel, S., Pena, A., Hoeger, K., Oberfield, S., & Teede, H. (2023). International Evidence-Based Guidelines for PCOS 2023: Recommendations in Adolescent Girls. In HORMONE RESEARCH IN PAEDIATRICS Vol. 96 (pp. 98-99). KARGER. |
| 2018 | Pena, A., Hoeger, K., Oberfield, S., Witchel, S., Vogiatzi, M., Misso, M., & Teede, H. (2018). Diagnosis and Treatment of Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) According to the 2018 International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS. In AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY Vol. 58 (pp. 4-5). WILEY. |
| 2018 | Pena, A., Witchel, S., Hoeger, K., Oberfield, S., Vogiatzi, M., Misso, M., & Teede, H. (2018). Pharmacological Treatment of Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) According to the 2018 International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS. In HORMONE RESEARCH IN PAEDIATRICS Vol. 90 (pp. 99-100). KARGER. |
| 2018 | Pena, A., Hoeger, K., Oberfield, S., Wiitchel, S., Vogiatzi, M., Misso, M., & Teede, H. (2018). Diagnosis of Adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) According to the 2018 International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS. In HORMONE RESEARCH IN PAEDIATRICS Vol. 90 (pp. 551). KARGER. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Hewawasam, E., Brennan, L., Giles, L., Hull, M. L., Short, A., Norman, R., & Peña, A. S. (2019). Assessing Whether Meditation Improves Quality of Life for Adolescent Girls With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint). DOI |
Grants and Funding
| 2019-2023 |
The First 1,000 Days: in-utero and early life exposures and their contribution to child obesity. |
Peña AS Chief investigator CIB | NHMRC Project Grant | $2,426,050 |
| 2020-2021 | Regulatory T Cells and Kidney Disease Progression in Type 1 diabetes | Ekinci E including Peña AS et al as investigator |
JDRF Australia EMCR Future Research Leaders Program |
$100,000 |
| 2019-2021 |
Does meditation improve quality of life and coping in adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? A pilot randomized controlled study. |
Peña AS Chief investigator | WCH Research Project grant | $75,000 |
| 2019 |
Anti-mullerian hormone isoforms in the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. |
Peña AS Chief investigator | Ms McLeod Departmental Research Grant | $10000 |
| 2018 |
Does treatment of early periodontal disease improve vascular health of children with Type 1 diabetes? |
Peña AS Chief investigator CIB | WCH Research Project grant | $74,734 |
| 2017 |
Adolescents experiences with the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. |
Peña AS Chief investigator | NHMRC CRE project support grant | $13,600 |
| 2017 | Adolescents experiences with the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. | Peña AS Chief investigator | Ms McLeod Departmental Research Grant | $10000 |
| 2015 | Do vascular benefits of metformin persist during puberty in type 1 diabetes? Adelaide Metformin RCT follow up study. | Peña AS Chief investigator. | WCH Project grant | $74,734 |
| 2015 | Measurement of metformin levels in the analysis of Adelaide Metformin randomized controlled trial”. | Peña AS Chief investigator | Ms McLeod Departmental Research Grant 2015 | $10000 |
| 2015 | APP1078444 Centre for Research Excellence in the evaluation, management and health care needs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and related health implications | Peña AS Associate Investigator | NHMRC 2015 | $2,489,052 |
| 2013 | APP1067807 Cystic Fibrosis ‐ Insulin Deficiency, Early Action (CF‐IDEA) | Peña AS Associate investigator | NHMRC 2013 | $180,758 |
| 2013 | Is hyperandrogenism a risk factor for vascular health in adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes? | Peña AS Chief investigator | Ms McLeod Departmental Research Grant 2013 | $10000 |
| 2012 | Does Metformin improve vascular structure in overweight youth with type 1 diabetes? | Peña AS Associate Investigator | Diabetes Australia Research Grant 2012 | $58840 |
| 2011 | Does Metformin improve vascular function in overweight youth with type 1 diabetes? | Peña AS – Associate Investigator | WCH Project grant 2011 | $50000 |
| 2011 | Does Metformin improve vascular function in overweight youth with type 1 diabetes? | Peña AS – Chief Investigator | APEC Pfizer Grants 2010 | $50000 |
| 2009 | What is the minimum dose of folic acid that improves vascular health in children with type 1 diabetes? | Peña AS – Chief investigator | WCH foundation Research Project grant 2009 | $50000 |
| 2006 | Peri pubertal changes in vascular function in children with type 1 diabetes and obesity. | Peña AS – Chief investigator | The APEG Novo Nordisk Research Grant 2006 | $25000 |
Education including admissions selection
Medical Students: Small group medical tutorials (4-5 students per tutorial) per term.
Write questions for OSCE medical exams and barrier exam.
Examiner of OSCE and barrier exam.
Examiner of observer clinical assessment of 5th year medical students.
Chair of the School of Medicine MBBS Admissions Working Group since 2019.
Deputy Chair University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Australia and New Zealand Test Management Committee
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | Examining the Effects of Hormonal Interventions on Quality of Life of Adolescents with PCOS: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Study | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Nipunika Hansamali Wickramaarachchi |
| 2025 | Principal Supervisor | The effect of social media on eating disorders, self-esteem and body image in adolescents with PCOS: A mixed methods Study | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Mahsa Gholizadeh Moghaddam |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 - 2021 | Co-Supervisor | Vascular health in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: The influence of exercise, diet, and metformin | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Dr Jemma Jay Angela Anderson |
| 2010 - 2014 | Co-Supervisor | Monitoring of vascular health in children at risk for atherosclerosis | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Ms Jennifer Jean Harrington |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 - ongoing | Principal Supervisor | The effect of meditation on quality of life of girls with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome | The University of Adelaide | - | Other | - | Nina Wilson |
| 2018 - 2019 | Principal Supervisor | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in adolescents | The University of Adelaide | - | Other | - | Erandi Hewawasam |
| 2016 - 2018 | Principal Supervisor | Do vascular benefits of metformin persist during puberty in children with type 1 diabetes? | Women's and Children's Hospital | Post doctoral fellow | Other | - | Oana Maftei |
| 2015 - 2015 | Principal Supervisor | Physical Activity determines bone health in children with type 1 diabetes | The University of Adelaide | Medical Student Research Elective | Other | Full Time | Athul John |
| 2014 - 2014 | Principal Supervisor | Evaluation of activity levels, sedentary behaviour and screen time in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). | The University of Adelaide | Honours | Honours | Full Time | Troy Frede |
| 2014 - 2014 | Principal Supervisor | Effects of diet composition on blood vessel health in children with type 1 diabetes | University of Applied Sciences Hanzehogeschool | Final research project for Sport and Health Science Degree | Other | Full Time | Jorien Schokker |
| 2014 - 2014 | Principal Supervisor | Evaluation of early markers of cardiovascular disease (delayed flow mediated dilatation and intima media thickness) in children with Type 1 Diabetes and healthy children | The University of Adelaide | Medical Research Student Elective | Other | Full Time | Sarveshinee Pillay |
| 2013 - 2013 | Principal Supervisor | Evaluation of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using SenseWear and the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adolescents | University of Applied Sciences Hanzehogeschool | Final research project for Sport and Health Science Degree | Other | Full Time | Adine Mayenburg |
| 2010 - 2014 | Principal Supervisor | Vascular health in type 1 diabetes | Women's and Children's Hospital | Post doctoral fellow | Other | Part Time | Oana Maftei |
| Date | Topic | Location | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 - 2014 | Research | Robinson Research Institute | Laura Spencer |
| Date | Role | Committee | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 - ongoing | Chair | School of Medicine MBBS Admissions Working Group | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Member | Faculty Admission Committee Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Member | UCAT ANZ Test Management Committee | UCAT | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Co-Chair | Scientific Program Organising Committee APEG | Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (APEG) | Australia |
| 2019 - ongoing | Co-Chair | Patient Care Ethics Committee | Women's and Children's Hospital | Australia |
| 2019 - 2019 | Member | School of Medicine MBBS Admissions Working Group | The Unversity of Adelaide | Australia |
| 2018 - 2019 | Member | Scientific Program Organising Committee APEG | APEG | Australia |
| 2017 - ongoing | Member | International program organising committee for International Meeting of Pediatric Endocrinology | IMPE | Argentina |
| 2017 - ongoing | Member | Scientific Committee World Congress of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology | World Congress of Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology | Australia |
| 2017 - 2019 | Member | Lab Group APEG | Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (APEG) | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | Medical Clinical Council | Women's and Children's Hospital | Australia |
| 2016 - 2018 | Member | Medical treatment Evidence-based Guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) | Centre for research excellence in polycystic ovary syndrome | Australia |
| 2015 - ongoing | Member | Organizing committee International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes/APEG | - | - |
| 2013 - 2019 | Member | Patient Care Ethics Committee | Women's and Children's Hospital | Australia |
| 2013 - ongoing | Member | Organising committee 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting ANZOS | - | - |
| 2013 - ongoing | Secretary | APEG Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group | - | - |
| 2012 - ongoing | Member | Organising committee 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting ANZOS | - | New Zealand |
| 2011 - ongoing | Representative | DSD Subcommittee | APEG | Australia |
| 2011 - ongoing | Chair | Organising committee 21st Annual Scientific Meeting ANZOS | - | - |
| 2010 - ongoing | Member | Local organizing committee Annual Scientific Meeting APEG | - | - |
| 2009 - 2012 | Member | Diabetes Database Subcommittee APEG | - | - |
| 2009 - ongoing | Council | APEG Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group | - | - |
| 2009 - 2013 | Council | ASSO/ANZOS The Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society | - | - |
| 2006 - 2012 | Member | Drug Therapeutic Committee Clinical Trials Review Working Party | Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service | Australia |
| Date | Title | Engagement Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 - 2019 | Turner Syndrome Association of Australia National Conference | Public Community Engagement | Turner Syndrome Association | Australia |
| 2019 - 2019 | Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Research Update | Public Community Engagement | Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation | Australia |
| 2019 - 2019 | The PCOS Questions and Answers event for consumers | Public Community Engagement | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Role | Editorial Board Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | Journal of Paediatric Child Health | - | - |
| 2013 - ongoing | Member | Colombian National Academy of Medicine Journal | - | - |
| Date | Case | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - ongoing | Inquiry into the Sexual Reassignment Repeal Bill 2014 | Parliament of South Australia | Australia |
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