Welcome to my home page. I am a Registered Nutritionist in Allied Health and Human Performance at the University of South Australia with roles in both teaching and research. My research is multidisciplinary, and I am the Director of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) Research Centre and a member of Behaviour-Brain-Body (BBB) Research Concentration at the University of South Australia. I am a member of the Exercise and Sports Science Program and teach Human Nutrition (HLTH2001) to students in the second year of their degrees.
My undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Science with Honours followed by PhD in Nutritional Physiology at the University of Adelaide. I then undertook a postdoctoral ... Read more
About me
Welcome to my home page. I am a Registered Nutritionist in Allied Health and Human Performance at the University of South Australia with roles in both teaching and research. My research is multidisciplinary, and I am the Director of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) Research Centre and a member of Behaviour-Brain-Body (BBB) Research Concentration at the University of South Australia. I am a member of the Exercise and Sports Science Program and teach Human Nutrition (HLTH2001) to students in the second year of their degrees.
My undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Science with Honours followed by PhD in Nutritional Physiology at the University of Adelaide. I then undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado before returning to Adelaide to the University of South Australia in 2004.
Broadly, my research focuses on dietary strategies to improve cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive function. I have been involved in numerous clinical trials using nutritional supplements and whole foods over the past 20 years sponsored by industry partnerships and through competitive government grants including ARC-Linkage, NHMRC and CRC schemes. My team is currently working on studies with nuts in adults focused on a wide range of health outcomes in conjunction with the Almond Board of California.
In conjunction with colleagues in the Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, we are investigating the impact of changing meal and sleep timing on a range of physiological and psychological measures with a goal of improving shift worker health. This work has been funded by two NHMRC project grants, including a large multisite weight loss intervention being conducted in partnership with researchers at Monash University.
I am the Immediate Past President of the Nutrition Society of Australia (2022-2023) and serve on the Editorial Board of the Journal Nutrients . In 2016, I was selected to participate in the inaugural Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform with colleagues from across the Oceanic region. This leadership course aims to enhance nutrition related health outcomes in the Oceanic region, through the continual development and support of leaders in nutrition to build capacity and achieve success. My contributions to nutrition research have been recognised through an Australian Nutrition Trust Travelling Fellowship (2018), The Nutrition Society of Australia Mid-Career Researcher Award (2016) and a South Australian Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2008).
I am proud to be an author of 120 journal articles and book chapters and have been cited over 3100 times with a current h index of 30 (Scopus). Over my career, I have had the privilege of supervising and mentoring 2 postdoctoral scientists, 18 postgraduate students and 26 honours students.
If you are interested in research opportunities, please do not hesitate to get in contact via email. I have opportunities for undergraduate student research placements as well as honours, masters and PhD students and encourage prospective students to email me to discuss how they could be part of this team.
About me
Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA)-https://nsa.asn.au/
American Society for Nutrition (ASN)- https://nutrition.org/
Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform (ONLP)- https://www.onlp.org/
About me
Doctor of Philosophy The University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Science (Honours) The University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Science The University of Adelaide
My research investigates the role of nutrients and activity on health.
I have current projects investigating 1) relationships between nut consumption and weight management and also vascular and cognitive function 2) dietary patterns and sleep in shiftworkers and 3) diet and cancer. I am also interested in fat metabolism, childhood obesity and sedentary behaviour.
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Small Steps towards dementia prevention, Medical Research Future Fund, 01/03/2023 - 28/02/2026
Shifting Weight using Intermittent Fasting (the SWIFt study): A novel weight loss intervention in shift workers with obesity, NHMRC - Project Grant, 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2023
An almond, dried grape and dried cranberry (AGC) mix for improving endurance exercise performance in athletes, International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation, 01/08/2017 - 31/10/2021
Altering meal times to reverse the metabolic consequences of shift work, NHMRC - Project Grant, 01/01/2016 - 31/12/2020
Comparison of a low carb/high pork protein diet and high carb/low prok protein diet, Pork CRC Ltd, 01/03/2013 - 30/06/2018
Effect of long term consumption of Australian pork for weight loss & weight maintenance on cardiometabolic health, Pork CRC Ltd, 01/05/2012 - 31/03/2016
Peanuts as a source of bioactive nutrients, Peanut Company of Australia, 23/06/2010 - 01/12/2015
Fish oil as an adjunct therapy for periodontitis Pilot Study, Australian Dental Research Foundation, 01/06/2014 - 30/09/2015
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
Year | Output |
---|---|
2019 |
Open access
11
10
7
|
2019 |
Open access
33
27
19
|
2019 |
12
14
|
2019 |
Open access
22
17
35
|
2018 |
Open access
38
36
306
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2018 |
Open access
|
2009 |
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2015 |
Open access
22
|
2015 |
4
|
2009 |
3
|
2009 |
|
Year | Output |
---|---|
2023 |
Open access
|
2023 |
Open access
1215
|
2023 |
Open access
|
2023 |
|
2023 |
Open access
1
104
|
2023 |
Open access
3
|
2022 |
Open access
|
2022 |
Open access
4
3
5
|
2022 |
Open access
10
6
15
|
2022 |
Open access
8
10
8
|
2022 |
Open access
12
14
4
|
2022 |
Open access
2
2
5
|
2022 |
4
|
2021 |
Open access
2
2
13
|
2021 |
Open access
9
7
5
|
2021 |
Open access
3
3
8
|
2021 |
3
30
|
2021 |
Open access
11
10
78
|
2020 |
Open access
3
4
5
|
2020 |
Open access
30
23
55
|
2020 |
Open access
2
2
5
|
2020 |
Open access
3
3
10
|
2020 |
Open access
|
2020 |
3
2
12
|
2019 |
Open access
11
10
7
|
2019 |
Open access
3
4
8
|
2019 |
Open access
4
3
|
2019 |
Open access
2
3
|
2019 |
Open access
17
12
22
|
2019 |
Open access
24
18
37
|
2019 |
Open access
66
64
19
|
2019 |
Open access
33
27
19
|
2019 |
12
14
|
2019 |
Open access
22
17
35
|
2019 |
Open access
5
3
8
|
2019 |
Open access
12
12
17
|
2019 |
Open access
39
32
31
|
2019 |
Open access
26
23
73
|
2019 |
Open access
4
4
3
|
2018 |
Open access
49
40
7
|
2018 |
Open access
22
22
|
2018 |
Open access
38
36
306
|
2018 |
Open access
3
4
27
|
2018 |
Open access
4
4
3
|
2018 |
Open access
12
12
82
|
2018 |
5
4
105
|
2018 |
10
9
4
|
2018 |
Open access
11
10
2
|
2017 |
Open access
41
32
280
|
2017 |
Open access
7
6
17
|
2017 |
Open access
5
2
3
|
2017 |
Open access
1
|
2017 |
31
30
3
|
2017 |
Open access
4
2
|
2017 |
Open access
61
54
46
|
2017 |
Open access
25
23
24
|
2017 |
Open access
30
26
59
|
2017 |
Open access
21
17
15
|
2017 |
10
9
5
|
2017 |
Open access
28
26
272
|
2016 |
27
24
4
|
2016 |
Open access
48
42
13
|
2016 |
Open access
121
113
16
|
2016 |
Open access
47
48
19
|
2016 |
Open access
30
27
7
|
2016 |
16
16
4
|
2016 |
Open access
18
19
|
2016 |
Open access
55
47
361
|
2016 |
Open access
32
28
11
|
2015 |
Open access
15
44
20
|
2015 |
Open access
5
|
2015 |
Open access
7
36
|
2015 |
20
20
|
2015 |
Open access
35
33
20
|
2015 |
Open access
11
11
2
|
2014 |
Open access
47
44
9
|
2014 |
Open access
18
18
36
|
2014 |
Open access
13
27
6
|
2014 |
Open access
6
21
29
|
2014 |
Open access
3
4
18
|
2013 |
Open access
7
9
|
2013 |
Open access
28
30
1
|
2013 |
Open access
17
28
28
|
2013 |
7
14
5
|
2013 |
65
115
128
|
2013 |
16
28
4
|
2012 |
Open access
43
58
|
2012 |
Open access
15
60
|
2012 |
Open access
19
18
|
2012 |
Open access
66
92
|
2012 |
Open access
16
35
|
2012 |
Open access
226
210
|
2012 |
18
27
|
2012 |
Open access
16
28
|
2012 |
Open access
7
5
|
2012 |
Open access
9
14
|
2011 |
32
31
|
2011 |
29
40
|
2011 |
Open access
165
215
|
2010 |
Open access
20
25
|
2010 |
Open access
44
51
|
2010 |
125
114
|
2010 |
Open access
27
36
|
2010 |
53
83
|
2009 |
Open access
48
53
|
2009 |
93
90
|
2009 |
Open access
38
30
|
2009 |
12
12
|
2009 |
4
6
|
2009 |
7
23
|
2009 |
Open access
37
45
|
2009 |
Open access
211
302
|
2009 |
Open access
83
|
2008 |
Open access
122
154
|
2008 |
Open access
46
44
|
2008 |
Open access
21
30
|
2008 |
4
8
|
2008 |
28
24
|
2008 |
39
62
|
2008 |
55
59
|
Research
My research investigates the role of nutrients and activity on health.
I have current projects investigating 1) relationships between nut consumption and weight management and also vascular and cognitive function 2) dietary patterns and sleep in shiftworkers and 3) diet and cancer. I am also interested in fat metabolism, childhood obesity and sedentary behaviour.
I am the Immediate Past President (2022-2023) and was the President of the Nutrition Society of Australia (2020-2021) https://nsa.asn.au/
I attended the Inaugrual Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform (2016) and was Chair of the Selection Working Group (2018-2019)https://www.onlp.org/
I am a member of the UniSA Mid Career Research Working Group
External engagement & recognition
Organisation | Country |
---|---|
Australian Pork Limited | AUSTRALIA |
Bond University | AUSTRALIA |
Central Queensland University | AUSTRALIA |
CSIRO Australia (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) | AUSTRALIA |
Curtin University | AUSTRALIA |
Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
Defence Science and Technology Group | AUSTRALIA |
DNP-DSM Nutritional Products | NETHERLANDS |
DSM Nutritional Products | UNITED STATES |
Edith Cowan University | AUSTRALIA |
Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health | AUSTRALIA |
Florey Neuroscience Institute | AUSTRALIA |
Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
Hokkaido University | JAPAN |
Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc | UNITED STATES |
Kagawa Nutrition University | JAPAN |
Massey University | NEW ZEALAND |
MG Nutritionals | AUSTRALIA |
Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
Murray Goulburn Co-Operative Ltd | AUSTRALIA |
National Stroke Research Institute | AUSTRALIA |
National Stroke Research Institute (Florey Neuroscience Institute) | AUSTRALIA |
Nihon University | JAPAN |
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation | UNITED STATES |
Peanut Company of Australia | AUSTRALIA |
Pennsylvania State University | UNITED STATES |
Queen Elizabeth Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
Repatriation General Hospital Inc | AUSTRALIA |
RMIT University | AUSTRALIA |
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) | AUSTRALIA |
South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) | AUSTRALIA |
Swinburne University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
TGR Biosciences | AUSTRALIA |
University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
University of Auckland | NEW ZEALAND |
University of Canberra | AUSTRALIA |
University of Colorado | UNITED STATES |
University of Denver | UNITED STATES |
University of Leeds | UNITED KINGDOM |
University of Manitoba | CANADA |
University of Maryland | UNITED STATES |
University of Melbourne | AUSTRALIA |
University of Newcastle | AUSTRALIA |
University of Queensland | AUSTRALIA |
University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
University of Western Australia | AUSTRALIA |
University of Wollongong | AUSTRALIA |
Victoria University | AUSTRALIA |
Walter Reed Army Institute for Research | UNITED STATES |
Yale University | UNITED STATES |
External engagement & recognition
Engagement/recognition | Year |
---|---|
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2019 |
ChairAustralian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) |
2019 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrition Journal |
2019 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrients |
2019 |
Management Committee Chair, Selection Working GroupOceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform |
2019 |
President-ElectNutrition Society of Australia |
2019 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2018 |
Board MemberAustralian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrition Journal |
2018 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrients |
2018 |
Invited SpeakerAlmond Board of California Conference, Sacramento, USA |
2018 |
Invited SpeakerNuts for Life Industry Seminar, Adelaide |
2018 |
Management Committee Chair, Selection Working GroupOceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform |
2018 |
Plenary SpeakerAustralasian Sleep Association Conference |
2018 |
President-ElectNutrition Society of Australia |
2018 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2017 |
Board MemberAustralian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrition Journal |
2017 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrients |
2017 |
Invited SpeakerAnnual National Conference of the Indian Dietetic Association (IDACON), Kolkota, India |
2017 |
Management Committee Chair, Selection Working GroupOceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform |
2017 |
MemberInternational Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) |
2017 |
MemberThe Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) |
2017 |
MemberNHMRC Grant Review Panel |
2017 |
Mid-Career AwardNutrition Society of Australia |
2017 |
National Registration Committee MemberNutrition Society of Australia |
2017 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2016 |
Board MemberAustralian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) |
2016 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrients |
2016 |
Invited speakerSixth International Congress of Science and Food Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology of Cordoba, Argentina |
2016 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2015 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrients |
2015 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2014 |
Editorial Board MemberNutrients |
2014 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2013 |
Advisory Board MemberFood and Nutrition Advisory Board, Deakin University |
2012 |
Program Director, Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours (2010-2013)
I have contributed to the Development of nutrition science competencies for undergraduate dgrees in Australia. Please see publication details in research outputs (Lawlis et al 2019)
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
Thesis title | Student status |
---|---|
110969 - Towards personalising intervention strategies for dementia prevention | Current |
Assessment of almond -specific antibody levels in participants from the Almond Weight Loss Study | Current |
Energy restricted diets, weight loss and lipid regulation | Current |
Investigating the Feasibility and Impacts of Pre-Operative Exercise in Bariatric Surgery Candidates | Current |
The effect of changing adiposity on pain and functioning | Current |
The temporal patterns of eating and relationships with diet quality in general and shift work populations in Australia: Development and utilisation of a chrononutrition questionnaire | Current |
Cognitive and behavioural benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids across the lifespan | Completed |
Cognitive performance, subjective sleepiness, and ratings of hunger and gastric upset in shiftworkers and simulated shiftwork | Completed |
Dietary caffeine and sugar and their relationship with sleep and behaviour in children and adults | Completed |
Dietary countermeasures to reduce the impact of alternate shift schedules on glucose metabolism, mood state, sleepiness and performance | Completed |
Effects of bioactive nutrient supplementation on cardiovascular biomarkers and cognitive function | Completed |
Health benefits of peanuts: effects of peanut consumption on cognition, vascular and cardio-metabolic risk factors and satiety | Completed |
Impact of shiftwork on central and peripheral circadian clocks | Completed |
Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Completed |
Obesity - the new childhood disability? Exploring physical functioning and disability in children with obesity | Completed |
Shiftwork and eating behaviour | Completed |
The effect of high amylose starch solutions on hydration and performance in trained cyclists during exercise in the heat | Completed |
The effect of nut-enriched energy restricted diets on measures of anthropometry and glucose regulation | Completed |
The effect of whey growth factor extract on muscle strength and size in recreational resistance trained males | Completed |
The effects of almond, dried grape and dried cranberry consumption on endurance exercise performance, recovery and psychomotor speed | Completed |
The impact of diet quality on telomere length as a marker of cellular ageing in mid-age to older Australian adults | Completed |
The relationship between diet and cognitive function in adult survivors of cancer | Completed |