Dr Lesley Macdonald-Wicks

Biography

I graduated with a BHS(Nutrition and Dietetics) with honors from the University of Newcastle in 1998, and returned in 1999 to complete a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics, which was awarded in 2003. The topic of the PhD was dietary fat intake and the impact on in vivo markers of antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress. There were three papers in ERA classified A* journals accepted from the PhD and I presented the findings nationally and internationally at relevant conferences. Subsequently I was invited to review in vitro measures of antioxidant capacity for the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture [ERA A].

In 2009-2010 I was a key member of the consortium awarded the tender from the National Health and Medical Research Council to update the evidence underpinning the review of the Dietary Guidelines for Australians. In this my role involved the management of the systematic review that related fat intake to prevention of chronic illness. Sufficient evidence was found to make evidence statements for fats and oils and prevention of cardiovascular disease, weight loss and obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, all cause mortality from Cancer and certain specific cancers and Mental Health. Similarly, in 2010/11 I was part of the consortium awarded the tender to update the evidence underpinning the update of the Best Practice Guidelines for the treatment of obesity in Adult Australians.

I have RHD students researching in the area of Nutrition and asthma and also in early childhood in particular childhood obesting and breastfeeding and the impact on chronic diseases. This particular area has developed into an NHMRC application which will be re-submitted in 2013. More recently I have started to combine my previous fatty acid expertise in the area of anxiety and stress. This has commenced as an honours project which I hope to develop in the future.

I have been cited 240 times with an H-index of 8. I focus my research efforts on forming strong local collaborations, and fostering strong research outputs in my RHD students ensuring a quality experience for these students and quality outcomes for my research.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle
• Bachelor of Health Science (Nut & Diet) Hons, University of Newcastle

Research

Research keywords

• Dietary Methodology
• Dietary intake and chronic illness
• Omega 3 Fatty acids
• Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Capacity

Research expertise

I have been cited 240 times with an H-index of 8. I focus my research efforts on forming strong local collaborations, and fostering strong research outputs in my RHD students ensuring a quality experience for these students and quality outcomes for my research.

In 2003 I was awarded a PhD in Dietary fat intake and omega 3 fatty acids. I have continued my interest in omega 3 fatty acids, primarily looking for their role in anxiety and depression disorders. I have a strong interest in dietary methodolgy and evidence of accuracy of this methodology through vlaidation with biomarkers. I have particular expertise in traslating biomarkers into clinical practice, particularly in chronic illness. Recently I have developed strong research expertise in Child and maternal nutrition.

Collaboration

My research collaborations are primarily through the PRC in Physical Activity and Nutrition and through the research centre for gender Health and Ageing. I also have links with Dr Lisa Wood and Professor Roger Smith in HMRI Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, and Mothers and Babies respectively.

My more recent research work on Breastfeeding and chronic disease prevention, which is the subject of an NHMRC grant has lead to a collaboration with Yvonne Hauck, Professor of Midwifery in the School of Nursing & Midwifery atCurtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI). The 2013 iteration of this grant application has lead to an international collaboration.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Hunter Medical Research Institute
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health & Ageing
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition

Group

• Hunter Medical Research Institute - Public Health

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Communication and Counselling
• Nutrition Services and Foodservice Management
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Professional Practice

Teaching expertise

I have been an academic in the Nutrition and Dietetic program since 2002. I attained my PhD in 2003. I joined DAA in 1997, and have been involved in the APD program since it was introduced. In 2012 I attained my Adv APD credential.

I have been course coordinator in a wide variety of the courses involved in our program, particularly the placement courses. I have been the director of Professional Practice for the program since 2003, and in 2011 I became the program convenor.

I have particular expertise in communication, professional practice and management. I am the domain leader for Foodservice and coordinate the courses in the third and fourth year of the program that align to these areas of expertise. I enjoy all of my varied roles within our degree and enjoy the challenge of teaching students and the varied roles that support student learning.