Biography
Dr Heidi Staudacher is an advanced accredited practising dietitian with expertise in the dietary management of individuals with gastrointestinal disorders. She undertook her PhD at King’s College London investigating the role of diet in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its effect on the microboime. She has published key papers in the field which have influenced several clinical guidelines internationally.
At the Food & Mood Centre Heidi's research program aims to improve our understanding of the role of diet for reducing symptoms in people with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) like IBS, as well as common mental disorders such as depression, and when these conditions overlap. Her research also investigates the nature and relevance of diet-induced microbiome shifts and other important mechanisms through which diet influences the brain and the gut, with the ultimate aim of developing better treatments.
Selected grants 2010-current:
2022 Rome Foundation Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction International Research Award ($57112)
2022 NHMRC Emerging Leadership Investigator Grant $655,150
2019 Career Continuity for Researchers who are Primary Carers $26,227
2018 Alfred Deakin Postoctoral Fellowship $182,589
2013 NIHR Clinical Doctoral Fellowship equiv $526,000
Read more on Heidi's profileAffiliations
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Registered Nutritionist
Rome V Treatment Trials Chapter Committee
Knowledge areas
Dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Diet and the microbiome
Dietary interventions for gastrointestinal and common mental disorders
Clinical trial methodology
Dietary assessment
Nocebo and placebo responses in IBS
Awards
Selected awards:
2021: Research Australia Griffith Discovery Highly Commended Award
2016: Nutrition Society International Postgraduate Competition Finalist (Dublin)
Projects
Heidi leads and is involved in collaborative projects with nutrition, psychology and gastroenterology research groups across Australia, the UK and Ireland, and the US.
The current research she leads at Deakin includes:
TANDIM trial: Randomised controlled trial of diet intervention in people with IBS and anxiety and/or depressive symtoms
Food, Mood and Microbes: Program of research aiming to address gaps relating to 1) scalable and cost-effective dietary intervention for people with depression via the BeNEFIT trial, 2) mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of the Mediterranean diet, 3) understanding the level of translation of evidence for diet improving symptoms of depression in practice.
Nocebo responses in IBS: Challenge trial investigating nocebo responses to dietary components in people with IBS.
Publications
How can I improve my gut health via non-dietary means?
A Loughman, H Staudacher
(2024), Vol. 9, pp. 20-20, The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Jacqueline Palmer, Jolieke van der Pols, Karen Sullivan, Heidi Staudacher, Rebecca Byrne
(2024), pp. 1-14, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Berlin, Germany, C1
E Shanahan, S Kang, H Staudacher, A Shah, A Do, G Burns, V Chachay, N Koloski, S Keely, M Walker, N Talley, M Morrison, G Holtmann
(2023), Vol. 72, pp. 929-938, Gut, England, C1-1
Irritable bowel syndrome and mental health comorbidity - approach to multidisciplinary management.
Heidi Staudacher, Christopher Black, Scott Teasdale, Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Laurie Keefer
(2023), Vol. 20, pp. 582-596, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, London, Eng., C1
Fibre intake and supplementation during treatment for haematological malignancies: a scoping review
Sarah Andersen, Andrea Henden, Heidi Staudacher, Glen Kennedy, Nicole Gavin
(2023), Vol. 36, pp. 1982-1991, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, London, Eng., C1
M West, S Hart, A Loughman, F Jacka, H Staudacher, A Abbaspour, A Phillipou, A Ruusunen, T Rocks
(2023), International Journal of Eating Disorders, United States, C1
Heidi Staudacher, Sophie Mahoney, Kim Canale, Rachelle Opie, Amy Loughman, Daniel So, Lauren Beswick, Chris Hair, Felice Jacka
(2023), pp. 1-12, Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, London, Eng., C1
Hajara Aslam, Mojtaba Lotfaliany, Daniel So, Kirsten Berding, Michael Berk, Tetyana Rocks, Meghan Hockey, Felice Jacka, Wolfgang Marx, John Cryan, Heidi Staudacher
(2023), NUTRITION REVIEWS, United States, C1
H Staudacher, M Rossi, T Kaminski, E Dimidi, F Ralph, B Wilson, L Martin, P Louis, M Lomer, P Irving, K Whelan
(2022), Vol. 34, pp. 1-12, Neurogastroenterology and Motility, London, Eng., C1
Optimal Design of Clinical Trials of Dietary Interventions in Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction
H Staudacher, C Yao, W Chey, K Whelan
(2022), Vol. 117, pp. 973-984, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Philadelphia, Pa., C1
M Hockey, E Hoare, M Mohebbi, T Tolmunen, S Hantunen, T Tuomainen, H Macpherson, H Staudacher, F Jacka, J Virtanen, T Rocks, A Ruusunen
(2022), Vol. 152, pp. 1916-1926, Journal of Nutrition, C1
D So, A Loughman, H Staudacher
(2022), Vol. 116, pp. 943-952, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, United States, C1
Low FODMAP diet in irritable bowel syndrome: A review of recent clinical trials and meta-Analyses
K Whelan, H Staudacher
(2022), Vol. 25, pp. 341-347, Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, Philadelphia, Pa., C1
M West, C McMaster, C Young, M Mohebbi, S Hart, H Staudacher, A Loughman, A Ruusunen, T Rocks
(2022), Vol. 11, pp. 1-12, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Basel, Switzerland, C1
Diet and depression: exploring the biological mechanisms of action
W Marx, M Lane, M Hockey, H Aslam, M Berk, K Walder, A Borsini, J Firth, C Pariante, K Berding, J Cryan, G Clarke, J Craig, K Su, D Mischoulon, F Gomez-Pinilla, J Foster, P Cani, S Thuret, H Staudacher, A Sánchez-Villegas, H Arshad, T Akbaraly, A O’Neil, T Segasby, F Jacka
(2021), Vol. 26, pp. 134-150, Molecular Psychiatry, England, C1
H Staudacher, M Scholz, M Lomer, F Ralph, P Irving, J Lindsay, F Fava, K Tuohy, K Whelan
(2021), Vol. 40, pp. 1861-1870, Clinical Nutrition, England, C1
C Young, M Mohebbi, H Staudacher, F Kay-Lambkin, M Berk, F Jacka, A O'Neil
(2021), Vol. 8, JMIR Mental Health, Canada, C1
Gastrointestinal symptoms following treatment for anorexia nervosa: A systematic literature review
M West, C McMaster, H Staudacher, S Hart, F Jacka, T Stewart, A Loughman, T Rocks, A Ruusunen
(2021), Vol. 54, pp. 936-951, International Journal of Eating Disorders, United States, C1
H Staudacher, A Mikocka-Walus, A Ford
(2021), Vol. 6, pp. 401-410, The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Netherlands, C1
E Shanahan, J McMaster, H Staudacher
(2021), Vol. 34, pp. 631-644, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, England, C1
H Staudacher, A Nevin, C Duff, B Kendall, G Holtmann
(2021), Vol. 33, Neurogastroenterology and Motility, England, C1
I Hickman, A Hannigan, H Johnston, L Elvin-Walsh, H Mayr, H Staudacher, A Barnett, R Stoney, C Salisbury, M Jarrett, M Reeves, J Coombes, K Campbell, S Keating, G Macdonald
(2021), Vol. 7, Transplantation Direct, United States, C1
C Young, M Mohebbi, H Staudacher, M Berk, F Jacka, A O’Neil
(2021), Vol. 33, pp. 266-279, International Review of Psychiatry, London, Eng., C1
Amy Loughman, H Staudacher, Tetyana Rocks, Anu Ruusunen, Wolfgang Marx, Adrienne O'Neil, Felice Jacka
(2021), Vol. 32, pp. 100-112, Mod Trends Psychiatry, Basel, Switzerland, C1
J Davis, M Mohebbi, F Collier, A Loughman, H Staudacher, N Shivappa, J Hébert, J Pasco, F Jacka
(2021), Vol. 32, pp. 2193-2203, Osteoporosis International, C1
C Black, H Staudacher, A Ford
(2021), Vol. 71, pp. 1117-1126, Gut, England, C1
H Staudacher, F Ralph, P Irving, K Whelan, M Lomer
(2020), Vol. 120, pp. 535-547, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, United States, C1
S Andersen, H Staudacher, N Weber, G Kennedy, A Varelias, M Banks, J Bauer
(2020), Vol. 188, pp. 570-581, British journal of haematology, Chichester, Eng., C1
Can gut microbiota composition predict response to dietary treatments?
J Biesiekierski, J Jalanka, H Staudacher
(2019), Vol. 11, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1
The keto diet and the gut: cause for concern?
C Tuck, H Staudacher
(2019), Vol. 4, pp. 908-909, The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Netherlands, C1
M O'Keeffe, C Jansen, L Martin, M Williams, L Seamark, H Staudacher, P Irving, K Whelan, M Lomer
(2018), Vol. 30, Neurogastroenterology and Motility, England, C1
M Rossi, R Aggio, H Staudacher, M Lomer, J Lindsay, P Irving, C Probert, K Whelan
(2018), Vol. 16, pp. 385-391.e1, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, United States, C1
Nutritional implications of dietary interventions for managing gastrointestinal disorders
H Staudacher, M Kurien, K Whelan
(2018), Vol. 34, pp. 105-111, Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, United States, C1
K Whelan, L Martin, H Staudacher, M Lomer
(2018), Vol. 31, pp. 239-255, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, England, C1
D So, K Whelan, M Rossi, M Morrison, G Holtmann, J Kelly, E Shanahan, H Staudacher, K Campbell
(2018), Vol. 107, pp. 965-983, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, United States, C1
M Gray, C Chao, H Staudacher, N Kolosky, N Talley, G Holtmann
(2018), Vol. 13, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
The low FODMAP diet: Recent advances in understanding its mechanisms and efficacy in IBS
H Staudacher, K Whelan
(2017), Vol. 66, pp. 1517-1527, Gut, England, C1
H Staudacher, M Lomer, F Farquharson, P Louis, F Fava, E Franciosi, M Scholz, K Tuohy, J Lindsay, P Irving, K Whelan
(2017), Vol. 153, pp. 936-947, Gastroenterology, United States, C1
The challenges of control groups, placebos and blinding in clinical trials of dietary interventions
H Staudacher, P Irving, M Lomer, K Whelan
(2017), Vol. 76, pp. 203-212, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, Cambridge, Eng., C1
Nutritional, microbiological and psychosocial implications of the low FODMAP diet
H Staudacher
(2017), Vol. 32, pp. 16-19, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia), Australia, C1
Heidi Staudacher, Kevin Whelan
(2016), Vol. 75, pp. 306-318, Proceedings of the nutrition society, Cambridge, Eng., C1
L Whigham, T Joyce, G Harper, P Irving, H Staudacher, K Whelan, M Lomer
(2015), Vol. 28, pp. 687-696, Journal of human nutrition and dietetics, Chichester, Eng., C1
Irritable bowel syndrome dietary management
H Staudacher, G Parkes
(2014), pp. 233-242, Advanced Nutrition and Dietetics in Gastroenterology, B1-1
Mechanisms and efficacy of dietary FODMAP restriction in IBS
Heidi Staudacher, Peter Irving, Miranda Lomer, Kevin Whelan
(2014), Vol. 11, pp. 256-266, Nature reviews: gastroenterology and hepatology, London, Eng., C1
Heidi Staudacher, Miranda Lomer, Jacqueline Anderson, Jacqueline Barrett, Jane Muir, Peter Irving, Kevin Whelan
(2012), Vol. 142, pp. 1510-1518, Journal of nutrition, Oxford, Eng., C1
H Staudacher, K Whelan, P Irving, M Lomer
(2011), Vol. 24, pp. 487-495, Journal of human nutrition and dietetics, Chichester, Eng., C1-1
Fructan content of commonly consumed wheat, rye and gluten-free breads
Kevin Whelan, Olivia Abrahmsohn, Gondi David, Heidi Staudacher, Peter Irving, Miranda Lomer, Peter Ellis
(2011), Vol. 62, pp. 498-503, International journal of food sciences and nutrition, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Effect of short-term fat adaptation on high-intensity training
N Stepto, A Carey, H Staudacher, N Cummings, L Burke, J Hawley
(2002), Vol. 34, pp. 449-455, Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Philadelphia, Pa., C1-1
Effects of fat adaptation and carbohydrate restoration on prolonged endurance exercise
A Carey, H Staudacher, N Cummings, N Stepto, V Nikolopoulos, L Burke, J Hawley
(2001), Vol. 91, pp. 115-122, Journal of applied physiology, Bethesda, Md., C1-1
H Staudacher, A Carey, N Cummings, J Hawley, L Burke
(2001), Vol. 11, pp. 273-286, International journal of sport nutrition, Champaign, Ill., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Food, mood and microbes: Improving mental health through diet.
Dr Heidi Staudacher
NHMRC - Investigator Grant
- 2024: $45,751
- 2023: $133,257
CoDeEndo: Co-Designing, Evaluating, and Implementing Supportive Care for Endometriosis
Prof Antonina Mikocka-Walus, A/Prof Subhadra Evans, Prof Trish Livingston, Prof Liliana Orellana, Dr Nikki McCaffrey, Dr David Skvarc, Prof Alison Hutchinson, Prof Felice Jacka, Prof Jason Abbott, Dr Mike Armour, Ms Katherine Stanley, Dr Heidi Staudacher
MRFF (NHMRC) Clinical Trials Activity Grant
- 2024: $322,580
- 2023: $909,698
Industry and Other Funding
The development of the BUB (Bugs, Unborns and Bugs) mHealth program
Prof Felice Jacka, Prof Adrienne O'Neil, Dr Heidi Staudacher
Waterloo Foundation - Child Development
- 2021: $68,174
- 2020: $66,470
Nocebo response to fermentable carbohydrate dietary challenge: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover challenge trial
Dr Heidi Staudacher, Prof Felice Jacka, Prof Antonina Mikocka-Walus
Rome Foundation Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction International Research Award
- 2022: $58,377
CoDeEndo: Co-Designing, Evaluating, and Implementing Supportive Care for Endometriosis
Prof Antonina Mikocka-Walus, A/Prof Subhadra Evans, Prof Trish Livingston, Prof Liliana Orellana, Dr Nikki McCaffrey, Dr David Skvarc, Prof Alison Hutchinson, Prof Felice Jacka, Prof Jason Abbott, Dr Mike Armour, Ms Katherine Stanley, Dr Heidi Staudacher
Western Alliance
- 2023: $20,000
Supervisions
Meghan Hockey
Thesis entitled: The Association Between Dairy Intake and Depression
Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), School of Medicine
Claire Young
Thesis entitled: A Digital Dietary Intervention for Depression: Development, Optimisation and Feasibility
Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), School of Medicine