SAHMRI’s epic BRIGHT Walk challenge this July 22nd aims to raise one million dollars for life-saving medical research. The money raised will push SAHMRI researchers another step closer to the next life-changing discovery.
It will help develop pilot projects, leverage support from national funding bodies and give a boost to early and mid-career researchers.
One of the walk’s ambassadors and SAHMRI researchers making great revelations is Dr Najma Moumin, whose PhD project was the first nationwide study looking at the dietary intakes of young children in Australia.
“My postdoc research focuses on understanding the role of iron in early life and iron requirements, to help inform public health policy. Policymakers and healthcare practitioners can use this data to better guide children and parents,” Moumin says.
Moumin’s work and research is based on lived experience. She’s the oldest of six siblings who she had a hand in raising, and one of her vivid memories revolves around meal times. She learned early on that every child is different; one can be very picky, and the other can be a garburator that will eat everything you put in front of them.
“This helps me empathise with parents and motivates me to help figure out how to make sure all kids get the right nutrition,” Moumin says.
“The work I do now is based on asking parents what they feed their babies and how they feed them.”
At a population level, Moumin describes how babies’ diets and caregiver feeding practices compare to recommendations. The NHMRC has guidelines on infant feeding and nutrient reference values and her research is like a report card assessing how well Australia’s infant feeding guidelines are working.
As of now, children under two years old are not included in the national nutrition surveys. Her group has shown it’s possible to collect detailed dietary intake data in this important age group. Moumin would like to see them included in future surveys so Australia can have representative data on food and nutrient intake.
“There is constantly new data coming out that makes you think and rethink everything you know,” Moumin says.
Moumin has overcome many obstacles to get where she is today. In many parts of the world, it’s very difficult for anyone to pursue higher education, especially women. Moumin’s home country of Somalia is one of those places, so she’s thrilled to be the first person in her family to complete a PhD.
“My family immigrated to Canada after the Somali Civil War broke out in the early 90s. I owe it to my parents and their support and encouragement to follow my passions,” Moumin says.
“I love learning and in research you often end up with more questions than answers, so you will never be bored. I find this incredibly humbling and exciting because there is always something else to discover.”
Moumin’s research is a great example of SAHMRI’s commitment to putting money behind innovative health and medical research that will actually have benefits for the community.
If you want to get involved with SAHMRI’s BRIGHT Walk to raise money for research like Dr Najma Moumin’s, register for the event and get your sandshoes ready.
SAHMRI’s BRIGHT Walk
When: Saturday July 22nd 2023
Register your interest: Click here
More info on SAHMRI: Click here
