Christine Philippa Rodda (born 27 March 1955) is an Australian paediatric

endocrinologist Endocrinology (from ''endocrine'' + '' -ology'') is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones. It is also concerned with the integration of developmental events ...

and academic. She is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the Melbourne Medical School – Western Campus, Sunshine Hospital. Rodda is known for her research on

metabolic bone disease Metabolic bone disease is an abnormality of bones caused by a broad spectrum of disorders. Most commonly these disorders are caused by deficiencies of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium or vitamin D leading to dramatic clinical disor ...

and

vitamin D deficiency Vitamin D deficiency or hypovitaminosis D is a vitamin D level that is below normal. It most commonly occurs in people when they have inadequate exposure to sunlight, particularly sunlight with adequate ultraviolet B rays (UVB). Vitamin D def ...

in children.

Early life and education

Christine Rodda was born in Adelaide, South Australia. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of Melbourne in 1978. She became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 1987 and earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Melbourne in 1990.

Career

Rodda began her medical career as a paediatric registrar at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne in 1984. From 1986 to 1987, she served as a clinical assistant in endocrinology at the same institution. In 1999, she was appointed Head of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Monash Medical Centre, a position she held until 2012. During her tenure, she contributed significantly to the development of paediatric endocrine services including the establishment of a multidisciplinary Young Adult Diabetes Service at Monash Medical Centre. Since 2012, Rodda has been an associate professor at the Melbourne Medical School – Western Campus, Sunshine Hospital. She was instrumental in developing a new paediatric course for Doctor of Medicine (MD) students and establishing multidisciplinary clinics for young adults with diabetes and for paediatric and adolescent endocrinology. From 2013 to 2021, she served as a paediatric endocrinologist at Western Health.

Research

Rodda's research focuses on genetic disorders of calcium and vitamin D metabolism, metabolic bone disease, and vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. She has published extensively, with over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, including articles in ''Science'' and ''The Lancet''.

Professional leadership

Rodda has held several leadership positions in professional organizations. She served as President of the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (APEG) from 1999 to 2001 and as Treasurer from 1995 to 1999.

Honors and awards

In 2023, Rodda was awarded honorary life membership by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes in recognition of her significant contributions to paediatric endocrinology. She was also recognized in the

King's Birthday Honours The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the reigning monarch's official birthday in each realm by granting various individuals appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals. The honours are ...

list in 2024 for her exceptional achievements and service to paediatric endocrinology, to medical research, and to tertiary education.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rodda, Christine 1955 births Living people Australian endocrinologists University of Melbourne alumni Members of the Order of Australia Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Australian paediatricians Pediatric endocrinologists