Profile image of Lewan Parker

Dr Lewan Parker

STAFF PROFILE

Position

NHMRC/National Heart Foundation Early Career Fellow

Faculty

Faculty of Health

Department

School of Exer & Nutr Sciences

Campus

Melbourne Burwood Campus

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy, Victoria University, 2017

Contact

lewan.parker@deakin.edu.au
+61 3 924 68740

Biography

Dr Parker’s current research explores how vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress contribute to poor cardiometabolic health and reduced quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dr Parker is also currently exploring whether interventions targeting the improvement of microvascular function, such as exercise training and antioxidant treatment, can be used to improve cardiometabolic health outcomes and quality of life in cardiometabolic disease patients.

Dr Parker’s research is currently focused on:

• Exploring the underlying causes (on a molecular and functional level) of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Exploring how exercise can be optimised (e.g., modifying intensity, duration and mode) to improve cardiometabolic health.

• Exploring novel interventions (e.g., antioxidant treatment and new pharmaceutical compounds) that can be used to improve cardiometabolic health.

Read more on Lewan's profile

Biography summary

Dr Lewan Parker is an NHMRC and National Heart Foundation Early Career Research Fellow in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and is a member of the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). He has dedicated his research career to exploring exercise, redox biology, bone metabolism, and microvascular function as important mediators of blood sugar control and overall cardiometabolic health and disease.

Research interests

Research areas include: Exercise physiology, redox biology, glycaemic control, insulin resistance, bone metabolism, vascular health, and cardiometabolic disease.

Affiliations

Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) 

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

La Trobe University / Alfred Health

Victoria University

Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS)

Knowledge areas

Research areas include: Exercise physiology, redox biology, glycaemic control, insulin resistance, bone metabolism, vascular health, and cardiometabolic disease.

Conferences

2020:

  • Parker, L. et al. Exercise & Sports Science Australia (Australia, Western Australia) - conference cancelled.

2019: 

  • Invited: Parker, L. et al. European College of Sports Science (Prague, Czech Republic).
  • Invited: Parker, L. Symposium on Early Career Research in Physiology. Australian Physiological Society (Geelong, Australia).

2018:

  • Invited: Parker, L. Workshop for Higher Degree Research Students, “Life after a PhD – Careers in Research”. Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia).
  • Parker, L., et al. Exercise and Sports Science Australia (Brisbane, Australia)

2017:

  • Parker, L., et al. Australian Physiological Society (Melbourne, Australia).
  • Parker, L., et al. American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (Denver, Colorado, United States).
  • Parker, L., et al. Endocrine Society of Australia (Perth, Australia).
  • Parker, L., et al. Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (Brisbane, Australia).

2016:

  • Parker, L., et al. European College of Sport Science (Vienna, Austria).
  • Parker, L., et al. Exercise and Sport Science Australia (Melbourne, Australia)

2015:

  • Parker, L., et al. Australian Physiological Society (Hobart, Australia)
  • Parker, L., et al. Victoria University Higher Degree Research Conference (Melbourne, Australia).
  • Parker, L., et al. Sports Medicine Australia (Gold Coast, Australia).
  • Parker, L., et al. Cell Symposia: Exercise Metabolism (Amsterdam, Netherlands).

2014:

  • Parker, L., et al. Victoria University Higher Degree Research Conference (Melbourne, Australia).

2012:

  • Parker, L., et al. Sports Medicine Australia (Sydney, Australia)

2011:

  • Parker, L., et al. International e-conference on Kinesiology and Integrated Physiology.

Awards

  • Early Career Researcher Award (Exercise Science and Health) + European College of Sport Science Research Exchange Award (2018)
  • Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2018)
  • Vice-Chancellors University Medal for Excellence in Postgraduate Research (2017)
  • Vice-Chancellors Award for Excellence in Research and Research Training (2017)
  • Staff Award for Excellence in Research (Early Career) (2017)
  • Academic Medal in Recognition of Academic Excellence - Honours (2009).

Publications

Filter by

2023

Vitamin C supplementation for diabetes management: A comprehensive narrative review

S Mason, L Parker, P van der Pligt, G Wadley

(2023), Vol. 194, pp. 255-283, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, United States, C1

journal article

Acute exercise and high-glucose ingestion elicit dynamic and individualized responses in systemic markers of redox homeostasis

H Thomas, T Ang, D Morrison, M Keske, L Parker

(2023), Vol. 14, pp. 1-16, Frontiers in immunology, Lausanne, Switzerland, C1

journal article
2022

Antioxidant Supplements and Exercise Adaptations

Shaun Mason, Lewan Parker, Adam Trewin, Glenn Wadley

(2022), Oxidative Eustress in Exercise Physiology, Boca Raton, Fl., B1

book chapter

Impaired postprandial skeletal muscle vascular responses to a mixed meal challenge in normoglycaemic people with a parent with type 2 diabetes

R Russell, K Roberts-Thomson, D Hu, T Greenaway, A Betik, L Parker, J Sharman, S Richards, S Rattigan, D Premilovac, G Wadley, M Keske

(2022), Vol. 65, pp. 216-225, Diabetologia, Germany, C1

journal article

Osteoglycin Across the Adult Lifespan

M Woessner, D Hiam, C Smith, X Lin, N Zarekookandeh, A Tacey, L Parker, S Landen, M Jacques, J Lewis, T Brennan-Speranza, S Voisin, G Duque, N Eynon, I Levinger

(2022), Vol. 107, pp. E1426-E1433, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Oxford, Eng., C1

journal article

Oral and intravenous glucose administration elicit opposing microvascular blood flow responses in skeletal muscle of healthy people: role of incretins

K Roberts-Thomson, L Parker, A Betik, G Wadley, P Gatta, T Marwick, M Keske

(2022), Vol. 600, pp. 1667-1681, Journal of Physiology, London, Eng., C1

journal article

Effect of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants on glycaemic control, cardiovascular health, and oxidative stress in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

S Mason, G Wadley, M Keske, L Parker

(2022), Vol. 24, pp. 1047-1060, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, London, England, C1

journal article

Systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effects electric bikes have on physiological parameters

J McVicar, M Keske, R Daryabeygi-Khotbehsara, A Betik, L Parker, R Maddison

(2022), pp. 1-13, Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, London, Eng., C1

journal article

Is vascular insulin resistance an early step in diet-induced whole-body insulin resistance?

L Carmichael, M Keske, A Betik, L Parker, B Brayner, K Roberts-Thomson, G Wadley, D Hamilton, G Kaur

(2022), Vol. 12, Nutrition and Diabetes, England, C1

journal article

Impaired postprandial adipose tissue microvascular blood flow responses to a mixed-nutrient meal in first-degree relatives of adults with type 2 diabetes

K Roberts-Thomson, D Hu, R Russell, T Greenaway, A Betik, L Parker, G Kaur, S Richards, D Premilovac, G Wadley, M Keske

(2022), Vol. 323, pp. E418-E427, American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, United States, C1

journal article

Prior aerobic exercise mitigates the decrease in serum osteoglycin and lipocalin-2 following high-glucose mixed-nutrient meal ingestion in young men

L Parker, T Ang, D Morrison, N Lee, I Levinger, M Keske

(2022), Vol. 323, pp. E319-E332, American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, United States, C1

journal article

Long non-coding RNA Tug1 modulates mitochondrial and myogenic responses to exercise in skeletal muscle

A Trewin, J Silver, H Dillon, P Della Gatta, L Parker, D Hiam, Y Lee, M Richardson, G Wadley, S Lamon

(2022), Vol. 20, pp. 1-19, BMC Biology, London, Eng., C1

journal article

The Effects of Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise and Hyperinsulinemic-Euglycemic Clamp on Osteoglycin Levels in Young and Middle-Aged Men

C Bauer, A Tacey, A Garnham, C Smith, M Woessner, X Lin, N Zarekookandeh, D Hare, J Lewis, L Parker, I Levinger

(2022), Vol. 6, JBMR Plus, England, C1

journal article
2021

Whole-body vibration stimulates microvascular blood flow in skeletal muscle

Andrew Betik, Lewan Parker, Gunveen Kaur, Glenn Wadley, Michelle Keske

(2021), Vol. 53, pp. 375-383, Medicine & science in sports & exercise, Philadelphia, Pa., C1

journal article

Prior exercise enhances skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow and mitigates microvascular flow impairments induced by a high-glucose mixed meal in healthy young men

L Parker, D Morrison, G Wadley, C Shaw, A Betik, K Roberts-Thomson, G Kaur, M Keske

(2021), Vol. 599, pp. 83-102, Journal of Physiology, England, C1

journal article

Reduced post-exercise muscle microvascular perfusion with compression is offset by increased muscle oxygen extraction: Assessment by contrast-enhanced ultrasound

J Broatch, S O'Riordan, M Keske, A Betik, D Bishop, S Halson, L Parker

(2021), Vol. 35, FASEB Journal, United States, C1

journal article

Reactive oxygen species in exercise and insulin resistance: Working towards personalized antioxidant treatment

K McKeegan, S Mason, A Trewin, M Keske, G Wadley, P Della Gatta, M Nikolaidis, L Parker

(2021), Vol. 44, Redox Biology, Netherlands, C1

journal article
2020

Osteocalcin and its forms across the lifespan in adult men

C Smith, S Voisin, A Al Saedi, S Phu, T Brennan-Speranza, L Parker, N Eynon, D Hiam, X Yan, D Scott, L Blekkenhorst, J Lewis, E Seeman, E Byrnes, L Flicker, G Duque, B Yeap, I Levinger

(2020), Vol. 130, Bone, United States, C1

journal article

Postprandial microvascular blood flow in skeletal muscle: Similarities and disparities to the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp

K Roberts-Thomson, A Betik, D Premilovac, S Rattigan, S Richards, R Ross, R Russell, G Kaur, L Parker, M Keske

(2020), Vol. 47, pp. 725-737, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, London, Eng., C1

journal article

Antioxidant supplements and endurance exercise: Current evidence and mechanistic insights

S Mason, A Trewin, L Parker, G Wadley

(2020), Vol. 35, Redox Biology, Netherlands, C1

journal article

High-glucose mixed-nutrient meal ingestion impairs skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow in healthy young men

L Parker, D Morrison, A Betik, K Roberts-Thomson, G Kaur, G Wadle, C Sha, M Kesk

(2020), Vol. 318, pp. E1014-E1021, American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, United States, C1

journal article
2019

Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in men is associated with suppressed undercarboxylated osteocalcin

Lewan Parker, Xuzhu Lin, Andrew Garnham, Glenn McConell, Nigel Stepto, David Hare, Elizabeth Byrnes, Peter Ebeling, Ego Seeman, Tara Brennan-Speranza, Itamar Levinger

(2019), Vol. 34, pp. 49-58, Journal of bone and mineral research, Chichester, Eng., C1

journal article

Acute continuous moderate-intensity exercise, but not low-volume high-intensity interval exercise, attenuates postprandial suppression of circulating osteocalcin in young overweight and obese adults

L Parker, C Shaw, E Byrnes, N Stepto, I Levinger

(2019), Vol. 30, pp. 403-410, Osteoporosis international, Cham, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Single-dose prednisolone alters endocrine and haematologic responses and exercise performance in men

A Tacey, L Parker, B Yeap, J Joseph, E Lim, A Garnham, D Hare, T Brennan-Speranza, I Levinger

(2019), Vol. 8, pp. 111-119, Endocrine Connections, England, C1

journal article

Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin Improves Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Uptake in Muscles of Corticosterone-Treated Mice

X Lin, L Parker, E McLennan, A Hayes, G McConell, T Brennan-Speranza, I Levinger

(2019), Vol. 34, pp. 1517-1530, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, United States, C1

journal article
2018

Exercise-intensity dependent alterations in plasma redox status do not reflect skeletal muscle redox-sensitive protein signaling

L Parker, A Trewin, I Levinger, C Shaw, N Stepto

(2018), Vol. 21, pp. 416-421, Journal of science and medicine in sport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1

journal article

Uncarboxylated osteocalcin enhances glucose uptake ex vivo in insulin-stimulated mouse oxidative but not glycolytic muscle

Xuzhu Lin, Lewan Parker, Emma Mclennan, Xinmei Zhang, Alan Hayes, Glenn McConell, Tara Brennan-Speranza, Itamar Levinger

(2018), Vol. 103, pp. 198-205, Calcified tissue international, New York, N.Y., C1

journal article

Acute HIIE elicits similar changes in human skeletal muscle mitochondrial H2O2 release, respiration, and cell signaling as endurance exercise even with less work

A Trewin, L Parker, C Shaw, D Hiam, A Garnham, I Levinger, G McConell, N Stepto

(2018), Vol. 315, pp. R1003-R1016, American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, United States, C1

journal article
2017

The effect of exercise-intensity on Skeletal muscle stress kinase and insulin protein signaling

L Parker, A Trewin, I Levinger, C Shaw, N Stepto

(2017), Vol. 12, PLoS ONE, United States, C1

journal article

Acute low-volume high-intensity interval exercise and continuous moderate-intensity exercise elicit a similar improvement in 24-h glycemic control in overweight and obese adults

L Parker, C Shaw, L Banting, I Levinger, K Hill, A McAinch, N Stepto

(2017), Vol. 7, Frontiers in Physiology, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Age and sex differences in human skeletal muscle fibrosis markers and transforming growth factor-β signaling

L Parker, M Caldow, R Watts, P Levinger, D Cameron-Smith, I Levinger

(2017), Vol. 117, pp. 1463-1472, European Journal of Applied Physiology, Germany, C1

journal article

Exercise and glycemic control: Focus on redox homeostasis and redox-sensitive protein signaling

L Parker, C Shaw, N Stepto, I Levinger

(2017), Vol. 8, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Multifaceted interaction of bone, muscle, lifestyle interventions and metabolic and cardiovascular disease: role of osteocalcin

I Levinger, T Brennan-Speranza, A Zulli, L Parker, X Lin, J Lewis, B Yeap

(2017), Vol. 28, pp. 2265-2273, Osteoporosis International, England, C1

journal article

The effect of acute and short term glucocorticoid administration on exercise capacity and metabolism

A Tacey, L Parker, A Garnham, T Brennan-Speranza, I Levinger

(2017), Vol. 20, pp. 543-548, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1

journal article

Acute exercise alters skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and H2O2 emission in response to hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in middle-aged obese men

A Trewin, I Levinger, L Parker, C Shaw, F Serpiello, M Anderson, G McConell, D Hare, N Stepto

(2017), Vol. 12, PLoS ONE, United States, C1

journal article

Recombinant uncarboxylated osteocalcin per se enhances mouse skeletal muscle glucose uptake in both extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles

X Lin, L Parker, E Mclennan, X Zhang, A Hayes, G McConell, T Brennan-Speranza, I Levinger

(2017), Vol. 8, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Switzerland, C1-1

journal article
2016

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D is related to protein signaling involved in glucose homeostasis in a tissue-specific manner

L Parker, I Levinger, A Mousa, K Howlett, B De Courten

(2016), Vol. 8, Nutrients, Switzerland, C1

journal article

Acute high-intensity interval exercise-induced redox signaling is associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity in obese middle-aged men

L Parker, N Stepto, C Shaw, F Serpiello, M Anderson, D Hare, I Levinger

(2016), Vol. 7, Frontiers in Physiology, Switzerland, C1

journal article

A Single Dose of Prednisolone as a Modulator of Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin and Insulin Sensitivity Post-Exercise in Healthy Young Men: A Study Protocol

Itamar Levinger, Tara Brennan-Speranza, Nigel Stepto, George Jerums, Lewan Parker, Glenn McConell, Mitchell Anderson, Andrew Garnham, David Hare, Peter Ebeling, Ego Seeman

(2016), Vol. 5, JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS, Canada, C1-1

journal article
2014

The effect of acute exercise on undercarboxylated osteocalcin and insulin sensitivity in obese men

I Levinger, G Jerums, N Stepto, L Parker, F Serpiello, G McConell, M Anderson, D Hare, E Byrnes, P Ebeling, E Seeman

(2014), Vol. 29, pp. 2571-2576, Journal of bone and mineral research, Chichester, Eng., C1-1

journal article

Influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity

L Parker, T McGuckin, A Leicht

(2014), Vol. 34, pp. 377-383, Clincal physiology and functional imaging, Chichester, Eng., C1-1

journal article

Funded Projects at Deakin

Australian Competitive Grants

Exercise intolerance and impaired glycaemic control in heart failure patients: Identifying microvascular dysfunction as a novel mechanism

Dr Lewan Parker

NHMRC ECF - Early Career Fellowship

  • 2023: $36,836
  • 2022: $86,029
  • 2021: $85,147
  • 2020: $84,041
  • 2019: $41,474

Novel therapy for improving exercise tolerance and glycaemic regulation in type 2 diabetes associated HFpEF

Prof Michelle Keske, Dr Lewan Parker, Prof Ralph Maddison, Prof Thomas Marwick

NHF Vanguard Grant - National Heart Foundation of Australia

  • 2021: $74,858
  • 2020: $74,920

Oral glucose tolerance test causes acute skeletal muscle microvascular insulin resistance in healthy people: determining the gut-derived factors that underpin microvascular impairments

Prof Michelle Keske, Miss Katherine Roberts - Thomson, Dr Lewan Parker

Diabetes Australia Research Program Grant

  • 2021: $45,010

Antioxidant deficiency screening and personalised antioxidant prescription as an accessible and cost-effective treatment for cardiovascular dysfunction and insulin resistance

Dr Lewan Parker, Prof Michelle Keske, Prof Thomas Marwick, A/Prof Michalis Nikolaidis

NHF Vanguard Grant - National Heart Foundation of Australia

  • 2022: $74,944

Home-based vascular therapy for improving exercise tolerance and glycaemia in type 2 diabetes

Prof Michelle Keske, Prof Glenn Wadley, Dr Andrew Betik, Dr Lewan Parker, Dr Gunveen Kaur

Diabetes Australia Research Program Grant

  • 2022: $70,000

Does short-term high-calorie high-fat feeding impair skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow and increase the risk of pre-diabetes in humans?

Dr Gunveen Kaur, Prof Michelle Keske, Dr Andrew Betik, Dr Lewan Parker, Mrs Barbara Vitorino Alencar Brayner

Diabetes Australia Research Program Grant

  • 2022: $52,720

Early detection of insulin-resistance with a mixed meal challenge - The REFINE study

Prof Michelle Keske, Prof Thomas Marwick, Prof Itamar Levinger, Prof Jo Salmon, Prof Glenn Wadley, Dr Lewan Parker, Dr Gavin Abbott

MRFF (NHMRC) CVH Mission - Cardiovascular Health Grant

  • 2023: $624,790

Other Funding Sources

NHMRC Equipment Grant 2017 - Cosmed Quark RMR with CPET Metabolic Cart

Prof Michelle Keske, Dr Lewan Parker, Dr Andrew Betik

NHMRC - Equipment Grant - Not R&D income countable (2017-current)

  • 2018: $15,546

Establishing new collaborations and techniques in Amsterdam for vascular function research

Dr Lewan Parker

Heart Foundation Collaboration and Exchange Award (Conferences)

  • 2021: $5,000

Supervisions

Associate Supervisor
2022

Katherine Roberts Thomson

Thesis entitled: Examination of Postprandial Peripheral Tissue Blood Flow Responses

Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences