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Biography

After completing an undergraduate degree in exercise science, postgraduate qualifications in health promotion and a PhD in public health, I was appointed as a tenured Lecturer in Public Health Research at La Trobe University in 1998. In 2004 I was recognised with an Excellence in Teaching Award and completed a Master of Business Degree. In 2005, I was promoted to Senior Lecturer, a position I held until 2007 when I relocated to Newcastle to take a position as a Senior Research Academic at the Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncology (CHeRP). In 2010 I was appointed Associate Professor in Public Health at the University of Newcastle. The focus of my research is behavioural nutrition and physical activity utilising a range of approaches and methodologies. I have published 49 C1 journal articles (plus 2 UER; h-index =9), 6 abstracts, 5 book chapters and 1 book, have successfully supervised 19 student projects and have attracted over $1.8 million in grants/consultancy income.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 1989
• Graduate Diploma in Health Social Science, University of Newcastle, 1985

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Research

Research keywords

• behavioural research
• cancer prevention
• exercise
• lifestyle research
• nutrition
• physical activity
• public health epidemiology

Research expertise

Behavioural epidemiology in relation to physical activity and nutrition

Collaboration

The focus of my research is behavioural nutrition and physical activity as they relate to cancer control and prevention. I am a Chief Investigator in two University-funded Priority Research Centres: PRC in Health Behaviour; PRC for Physical Activity & Nutrition. Current research collaborations include Cancer Council NSW, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia, Hunter Prostate Cancer Information and Support Group, Breastscreen Hunter, Prof Kerry Courneya (University of Alberta), Prof Wendy Brown (University of Queensland).

Fields of Research

Description (Code)	%
Public Health And Health Services(111700)	50
Clinical Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified(110399)	30
Nutrition And Dietetics Not Elsewhere Classified(111199)	20

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Hunter Medical Research Institute
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour
• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour
• 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

Awards

Research Award.

1999	Research Award for Excellence Early in a Research Career La Trobe University (Australia)

Teaching Award

2004	Excellence in Teaching Award La Trobe University (Australia)

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

RHD administration

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Communication skills
• Health behaviour change
• Health promotion
• Interactional skills
• Public health

Teaching expertise

Public health, health promotion, promotion of physical activity, health research methods