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 Jennifer Utter, 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

Megan Crichton, PhD candidate, shares her gut feeling about ginger.

Dr Barbara van der Meij describes her research on diet, exercise, and breast cancer.

Dr Skye Marshall discusses the surprising findings of her research on whole grains for heart health.

Dr Hannah Mayr shares highlights from her research on the Mediterranean Diet; and contributed to many media articles for Nutrition Nutrition week in 2020:

• Plant based eating
• Cheap and convenient healthy eating
• Debunking celebrity diet advice
• Mediterranean diet for diverse cultures

Podcast highlights

• 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
• Assoc. Prof. Katrina Campbell 
• Dr Wolfgang Marx
• Dr Jaimon Kelly
• Dr Ekta Agarwal

BUND Research Group Higher Degree Researchers

Megan Crichton

• PhD Scholar
• Thesis: The SPICE Trial (Supplemental Prophylactic Intervention for Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Emesis): Examining the role of ginger and the microbiome on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting
• Principal Supervisor: Liz Isenring
• Associate Supervisors: Skye Marshall, Anna Lohning, Wolfgang Marx

Ali (Alexandra) Davidson

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

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

Carolyn English

• MPhil Scholar
• Thesis: Dietary patterns, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Hannah Mayr

Amy-Lee Bowler

• PhD Scholar
• Thesis: Assessment of energy availability in triathletes
• Principal Supervisor: Greg Cox
• Associate Supervisor: Vernon Coffey

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 Kate Morgan

• PhD completion in 2019
• Thesis: The Australian dietetic workforce preparation study: exploring the preparation and preparedness of the dietetic workforce in Australia.
• Principal Supervisor: Dianne Reidlinger
• Associate Supervisors: Linda Crane