Alexia Pena Vargas

Dr Alexia Pena Vargas

Associate Prof/Reader

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

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.

  • Appointments
    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

  • Awards and Achievements
    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 Competencies
    Language Competency
    French Can read and understand spoken
    Spanish; Castilian Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    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

  • Research Interests
    Paediatrics Child and Adolescent Health
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

 

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    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

  • Other Supervision Activities
    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

  • Mentoring
    Date Topic Location Name
    2013 - 2014 Research Robinson Research Institute Laura Spencer

  • Committee Memberships
    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

  • Community Engagement
    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

  • Editorial Boards
    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2016 - ongoing Member Journal of Paediatric Child Health - -
    2013 - ongoing Member Colombian National Academy of Medicine Journal - -

  • Expert Witness
    Date Case Institution Country
    2015 - ongoing Inquiry into the Sexual Reassignment Repeal Bill 2014 Parliament of South Australia Australia
  • Position: Associate Prof/Reader
  • Phone: 81618134
  • Email: alexia.pena@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 81617031
  • Campus: Womens & Childrens Hospital
  • Building: WCH - Clarence Rieger Building
  • Org Unit: Women's and Children's Health
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