Professor Josephine Forbes is a global leader driving innovative therapies for diabetic kidney disease. She fosters her pioneering bench research all the way to clinical studies. Her accolades include the Commonwealth Health Minister’s Award for Outstanding contribution to Medical Research. Despite having only conferred her PhD in yr2000, she already has over 150 publications with ~10000 citations, >$6 million in research funding, patents and commercial partners. She is consistently invited to lecture nationally and internationally and as a member of global and national scientific committees. Her peak body leadership roles including the Australian Diabetes Society and Diabetes Australia Research Trust ensure strong advocacy for health research/ers and consumers.