I am a nutritional scientist with a research focus on gastrointestinal function and energy intake regulation in humans. The aim of my research is to understand (1) how any changes in gut function in obesity derail the appetite-regulatory and, thus, reinforce weight gain, ans (2) the role of gut function in the pathophysiology of digestive symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia.
Identifying Optimal Sustainable Cooling Strategies For The Most Vulnerable During Heatwaves
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,115,640.00
Summary
Current guidance warns against electric fan use in heatwaves without any supporting evidence. This Project aims to identify how fans and other parallel low-resource strategies can reduce the risk of heat-related illness in the most vulnerable during simulated hot/humid and very hot/dry heat wave conditions. This information will be used to develop simple heat adaptation strategies that also mitigate unsustainable energy demands and the destructive environmental impact of air conditioning.
Climate Change And Human Health In Asia: Current Impacts, Future Risks, And Health Benefits Of Mitigation Policies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$655,308.00
Summary
This project will comprehensively examine the burden of diseases attributed to ambient temperature in the context of climate change in Asia Pacific region, where has 60% of the world's population and nearly two-thirds of the world's poor. Knowledge arising from the project will provide vital evidence for governmental policy on implementation of the mitigation and adaptation policies to address the health challenges associated with climate change.
Deaths from heat waves are avoidable. However we still experience such deaths, and it has been predicted that the frequency and intensity of heat waves in Australia will increase due to changes in the climate. It is therefore vital that our communities are prepared in times of extreme heat. Strengthening the ways that heatwave plans are implemented at a community level is an important way of increasing our ability to cope with such natural hazards, and also strengthens community resilience.
The Role Of A Low Emulsifier Diet To Treat Crohn's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,603.00
Summary
Currently, there are no specific diets known to treat Crohn’s disease (CD). Initial lab- and animal-based studies have indicated emulsifiers added to food drive inflammation in CD, but no human trials completed. This study will design and feed high and low emulsifier diets to healthy and CD subjects and measure markers of inflammation. This will establish the role of a low emulsifier diet to treat CD.
Projection Of The Impact Of Climate Change On The Transmission Of Ross River Virus Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,645.00
Summary
There is no doubt that mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are sensitive to climatic conditions. However, it remains unclear how climate change will influence the distribution and incidence of MBDs. This study aims to use an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to project the impact of future climate change on the transmission of Ross River virus disease - the most common and widespread MBD in Australia, and to provide scientific evidence for developing pulbic health adaptation policies.
Dengue Transmission Under Climate Change In Northern Australia: Linking Ecological And Population Based Models To Develop Adaptive Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,293.00
Summary
The mosquito-transmitted viral disease, dengue, is likely to be influenced by climate change. It has been accorded priority for human health adaptation research (National Adaptation Research Plan, Human Health). Dengue has major health impacts in North Queensland, and causes major losses to the Queensland blood supply. The research will develop a model for climate-related changes in the future occurrence of dengue to predict risk in North Queensland and other parts of Australia.
Genetic Validation Of Stat3 As A Tractable Pharmacological Target In Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,964.00
Summary
Cancers of the stomach and the colon are a major health burden. One of the central signaling molecules that drives these cancers is called Stat3. Here we propose to use a novel strain of mice that allows us to experimentally dial down the amount of Stat3 protein and hence to predict how effective a future anti-Stat3 cancer drug will be.