Healthy recognition: Dietitian earns prestigious Australian science honour
In a landmark recognition of her pioneering work in dietetics, food and nutrition science, University of Newcastle Professor Tracy Burrows has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS)—one of the nation’s highest honours in health research.
Elected by their peers, Fellows are recognised for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of knowledge, the translation of research into improved health outcomes, and their commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers and clinicians.
Over a career spanning almost two decades, Professor Burrows has led a globally recognised research program focused on improving the way we assess and understand diet - using eHealth technologies to make dietary assessment more accurate, accessible and impactful. Her innovations have informed clinical guidelines, strengthened child obesity interventions, and improved diet quality across diverse populations.
Professor Burrows said she was honoured to be elected as a Fellow alongside some of Australia’s most distinguished health and medical researchers.
“To be recognised by the Academy is an incredible honour and a reflection of the collaborative research being led in the Hunter that drives progress in nutrition and health,” Professor Burrows said.
“My goal has always been to bridge the gap between science and practice — to help people eat better, live healthier lives, and empower the next generation of researchers to continue that mission.”
Driven by a passion to create real-world change and supported by a number of substantial grants, Professor Burrows has helped establish new fields of inquiry into food addiction and more broadly mental health and its connection with disordered eating, shaping how nutrition and behaviour are understood in clinical practice.
Her dedication to advancing food and nutrition science has earned her recognition as a highly cited author, thesis examiner, conference presenter, and postgraduate supervisor, as well as membership in several national and international health associations. She also ranks among the top one per cent of Australian dietitians with an advanced accreditation title, Fellow Dietitians Australia.
Professor Burrows’ expertise has been sought on the global stage, co-authoring international toolkits to improve dietary data collection and reporting. Her research on biomarker validation is cited in international best practice guidelines for nutrition studies, which have been accessed by more than 15,000 professionals worldwide to improve dietary assessment in clinical and research settings.
Her impact is reflected in more than 240 research publications, over 12,800 citations, and numerous international awards, including the 2014 WHO Team Excellence in Obesity Prevention Award. Her work has informed 40 policy documents across 12 organisations in nine countries, underscoring her influence in shaping nutrition science globally.
A National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Fellow and Co-Director of HMRI’s Food and Nutrition Program, Professor Burrows is one of 29 new Fellows announced by the Academy, recognised for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact on health and medical research.
Academy President Professor Louise Baur AM said the new Fellows represented the very best of the health and medical sciences in Australia.
“Our new Fellows are improving lives — from tackling global health challenges and pioneering new treatments, to shaping policy and advancing the frontiers of biomedical discovery,” Professor Baur said.
“Their work exemplifies the Academy’s mission to advance health and medical research, promote evidence-informed policy, and foster trust in science.”
Professor Burrows continues to champion public engagement in nutrition and dietetics through outreach, media, and education — helping communities better understand the science behind healthy eating and wellbeing.
The new Fellows were formally inducted at the Academy’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Gala Dinner in Canberra, where they joined an outstanding community of over 500 Fellows shaping the future of health in Australia and beyond.
A full list of new Fellows is available on the Academy website.
Contact
- Media and Communication Specialist Carmen Swadling
- Email: carmen.swadling@newcastle.edu.au
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