Topic
Date published
17/06/2026
Her research explored why people with type 2 diabetes from ethnic minority backgrounds face barriers to starting insulin treatment, and how more culturally appropriate support could help.
Using a mixed methods approach combining a systematic review, qualitative research and intervention design, she found that barriers to insulin initiation are shaped by cultural, social and healthcare system factors.
The research highlights the need for community-based approaches that better reflect people's lived experiences.
Based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, her work informed the development of a community champion-led intervention, designed to provide more tailored support for insulin initiation among this group.
Reflecting on her experience, Dr Katapa said: "The most rewarding part was hearing people openly share their experiences with insulin and realising how deeply cultural beliefs and community perspectives shape their decisions.
“It reinforced the importance of designing care that truly reflects people's lived realities.”
Congratulations to Dr Katapa on this achievement. She is now working as a Research Diabetes Specialist Nurse at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and looks forward to developing her research career, with a continued focus on reducing inequalities in diabetes care for ethnic minority communities.
To find out more about this research, click here.