Athol Mann Lecture featuring Prof Martin de Bock
Since 1987, CMRF has hosted an annual public lecture, presented by an esteemed Professor, on their research area of expertise.
This year we are delighted to welcome Professor Martin de Bock from the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Otago, Christchurch.
His lecture is titled “The rise of the machines – saving lives in the world of diabetes”
Professor Martin de Bock will explore the rapid advancements in diabetes technologies and how these innovations are transforming both the quality and length of life for people living with diabetes. Yet, as with any major shift in healthcare delivery, significant individual, community, institutional, and societal barriers must be confronted to ensure equitable benefit for all.
Drawing on his extensive experience, Professor de Bock will offer an engaging account of “how to get things done” — highlighting how Christchurch’s unique environment has fostered global leadership in this field. He will also discuss emerging and future technologies that hold enormous promise, while thoughtfully addressing the ongoing challenge of balancing optimism with realistic expectations grounded in evidence and experience
Speaker biography
Prof Martin de Bock is a Paediatric Endocrinologist in Christchurch, New Zealand. He trained in paediatric endocrinology in Auckland, New Zealand, where he gained his PhD. He then spent several years in Perth, Western Australia, where he developed his primary research focus on using diabetes technology to improve the lives of people with diabetes, and in particular using automated insulin delivery.
His international service roles include contributions to international consensus statements and diabetes management guidelines and also serves as chair on the diabetes committee of the Australian New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes, and the New Zealand national clinical network for diabetes (ex-chair), and is a founding member of the New Zealand Paediatric Endocrine Society.
He has over 130 international peer reviewed publications, including in lead journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine.
In 2025 he was awarded the HRC Bevan Medal for health translation in recognition of making meaningful changes to the lives of people with diabetes in New Zealand.
Professor Martin de Bock | University of Otago
The lecture is free to attend however registrations are essential. Refreshments will be available to purchase.