About the BUND Research Group

The BUND Research Group works towards research excellence in the field of nutrition and dietetics by creating opportunities and supporting the research activities of its members. Specifically, the BUND Research Group has focused nutrition and dietetic areas of excellence in: oncology, ageing, bariatric surgery, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, sports, and professional practice issues. This is underpinned by themes of consumer and industry engagement and innovation. Across all these areas, the BUND Research Group is future focussed, and aims to optimise translation of evidence into practice.

The group was established in 2014 and is currently chaired by Dr Kate Odgers-Jewell, with membership including BUND academic staff, higher degree researchers, and honorary adjuncts. The group’s research meetings provide a platform for capacity building through peer review, collaboration, continuing professional development, and strategic planning and coordination.

In addition to this, the BUND Research Group has set ambitious and strategic key performance indicators for research engagement, output, and dissemination. These targets have been exceeded year on year, demonstrating an upward trajectory in research quality and impact.

The group’s ongoing success can be attributed to the exceptional leadership and mentoring provided by the BUND academic staff strengthened by adjunct members, as well as participation by the committed and inspiring higher degree research candidates and clinical collaborators.

Research in the media highlights

A/Prof. Gregory Cox and Dr Amy-Lee Bowler shared their recent research on the using of continuous glucose monitors in people without diabetes.

Dr Carolyn English discussed foods and gut health, highlighting the importance of dietary choices in maintaining a healthy microbiome in a recent interview.

A/Prof. Gregory Cox dsicusses the unique challenges facing female athelets and also leads the nutrition study on the doping risk of protein fortifed foods.

A/Prof. Kristen MacKenzie-Shalders shares the findings of her research on the dietary intake among police.

Podcast highlights

• PhD scholar Anna Millichamp speaks about the connection between eating disorders and neurodivergence, and she also interviewed Julian and Rebecca about their lived experience about the positive influence of being neurodivergent.
• Dr Hannah Maye speaks about Incorporating Mediterranean Dietary Pattern into Dietary Consultations on Nuts for Life.
• Dr Hannay Mayr speaks about the Mediterranean diet for coronary disease featured on the Olive Wellness Institute podcast.
• Dr Hannah Mayr speaks about her research journey on the Dietitian Life podcast.
• Dr Skye Marshall speaks about wellness, health, and beyond in the Wellness Warrier podcast.

Honorary adjunct researchers

• Prof Liz Isenring
• Dr Wolfgang Marx
• Dr Jaimon Kelly

BUND Research Group Higher Degree Researchers

Sherry (Xueying) Tang

• PhD Scholar
• Thesis: Preoperative nutritional repletion in bariatric surgery
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne P Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Skye Marshall, Lillian Craggs-Dino, Flavia Fayet-Moore

Anna Millichamp

• PhD Scholar
• Thesis: Making sense of the neurodivergent feeding and eating experience: moving towards dignity-based nutrition practice
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne P Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Amy Bannatyne

BUND HDR Completions

Dr Skye Marshall 

• PhD completion in 2016
• Thesis: Malnutrition in the Older Australian Rural Rehabilitation Community: identification, patient outcomes and the role of informal caregivers
• Principal Supervisor: Liz Isenring
• Associate Supervisor: Adrienne Young

Dr Wolfgang Marx

• PhD completion in 2016
• Thesis: Standardized ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: efficacy, safety and feasibility.
• Principal Supervisor: Liz Isenring
• Associate Supervisors: Anna Lohning, Stephanie Schweiker, Karin Ried, Luis Vitetta

Dr Kate Odgers-Jewell

• PhD completion in 2016
• Thesis: Exploring the attributes of group-based education for the management of chronic diseases, focusing on type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Principal Supervisor: Liz Isenring
• Associate Supervisors: Dianne Reidlinger, Rae Thomas

Dr Emily Haynes

• PhD completion in 2017
• Thesis: Developing consensus on the strategic priorities for the prevention of obesity amongst the Australian population.
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Paul Glasziou

Dr Gina Cleo

• PhD completion in 2018
• Thesis: Maintaining weight loss: a look at habits.
• Supervisors: Rae Thomas, Paul Glasziou, Liz Isenring

Dr Cherie Hugo

• PhD completion in 2018
• Thesis: The Lantern Project -Illuminating the value of nutrition in older Australians.
• Principal Supervisor: Liz Isenring

Dr Jaimon Kelly

• PhD completion in 2018
• Thesis: Lifestyle Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: Telehealth strategies for effective self-management.
• Principal Supervisor: Katrina Campbell
• Associate Supervisors: Dianne Reidlinger, Tammy Hoffmannv

Dr Amy Bannatyne

• PhD completion in 2018
• Thesis: Disordered eating in pregnancy: the development and validation of a pregnancy-specific screening instrument
• Principal Supervisor: Peta Stapleton
• Associate Supervisors: Bruce Watt, Roger Hughes, Kristen MacKenzie-Shalders

Dr Kate Morgan

• PhD completion in 2018
• Thesis: The Australian dietetic workforce preparation study: exploring the preparation and preparedness of the dietetic workforce in Australia.
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne P Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Linda Crane

Dr Megan Crichton

• PhD completion in 2023
• Thesis: Dietary management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: exploring novel interventions, mechanisms, and clinical considerations with the spotlight on ginger (zingiber officinale)
• Principal Supervisor: Liz Isenring
• Associate Supervisors: Skye Marshall, Anna Lohning, Wolfgang Marx

Dr Ali (Alexandra) Davidson

• PhD completion in 2023
• Thesis: Integrating dietitians into the primary care setting
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne P Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Lauren Ball, Mark Mogan

Dr Carolyn English

• PhD completion in 2024
• Thesis: Novel inflammatory markers PAF and Lp-PLA2 in cardiovascular disease prevention: relationships with dietary patterns and traditional risk factors
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne P Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Hannah Mayr & Anna Lohning

Dr Amy-Lee Bowler

• PhD completion in 2024
• Thesis: The practical utility of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to identify low energy availability (LEA) in endurance athletes
• Principal Supervisor: Greg Cox
• Associate Supervisor: Vernon Coffey & Louise M. Burke