Biography
Audrey obtained a BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 2003 from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Dublin Institute of Technology and a PhD in Nutrition in 2008 (TCD) where she was the lead dietitian on an EU (FP6) funded dietary intervention trial (LIPGENE Workpackage 1.2) investigating the effects of dietary fat on insulin resistance in Metabolic Syndrome. After a post-doctoral position at University College Dublin in the Nutrigenomic Research group, looking at the impact of genetic predisposition and response to dietary changes, she moved to Australia where she resided for 10 years, working in both the clinical (Alfred Health) and academic fields (La Trobe University). Audrey joined the School of Allied Health in July 2017 and is Senior Lecturer and Course Director for the Msc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Research Interests
Audrey is a well-established active researcher in the area of clinical nutrition and dietetics with her research recognised both nationally and internationally.
Audrey's doctoral and post-doctoral studies were based on EU funded (Euro12.5m) international clinical trials in the prevention and management of Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) from the basic science to the molecular level. Building on this research, which focussed primarily on the effect of dietary fat, specifically monounsaturated fat, Audrey joined the Mediterranean Diet Research Group at La Trobe University in 2013 where a whole of diet approach based on the traditional Cretan Mediterranean Diet and its effects on metabolic health has primarily been the topic of her research and grant applications.
Current Active Research Projects in the Mediterranean Diet Area for which Audrey is a principle or co/associate investigator include:
- MEDINA MEDIterranean diet in Non Alcoholic fatty liver disease (RCT).
- AUSMED The AUStralian MEDiterranean Diet Heart Trial (RCT)
- MediBrain Dietary Intervention to enhance cognitive performance in T2DM.
- Polyphenol Study The effect of olive oil on markers of cardiovascular disease risk.
Audrey's clinical expertise is in the areas of respiratory and intensive care medicine. She has been awarded grants in these areas with a focus on translational research to influence practice change. During Audrey's time as a Clinical Specialist at Alfred Health with joint appointments at Monash University and La Trobe University, Melbourne, she led the research portfolio and managed dietary intervention trials and observational studies in Haematology, Obstetrics, Hepatology, Respiratory and ICU.
Current Research Projects in the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Area for which Audrey is principle investigator and/or coinvestigator include:
- Effects of gene potentiators on nutritional status and body composition in Cystic Fibrosis.
- Segmental Intestinal Permeability in the critically ill mechanically ventilated adult patient versus healthy controls.
- Energy requirements of critically ill obese patients: does goal directed nutrition using indirect calorimetry improve energy delivery?
Professional Activities
Association
- Dietitians Registration Board, CORU Regulating Health and Social Care Professionals
- Professional Body, Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute
- Professional Body, Dietitians Association of Australia
- Allied Health Member, European Cystic Fibrosis Society
- Member, Nutrition Society
- Member, European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
- Member, Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
