Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition

The School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences hosts the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). The majority of our school's research is conducted through IPAN, and our course content is heavily influenced by research from the institute.

IPAN and our courses

Research from IPAN feeds directly into the development of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses

As a major Australian research institute, IPAN combines research in physical activity with nutrition research. Our course content is also particularly innovative and progressive.

Research

IPAN is focused on improving the health of Australian communities, and preventing disease by promoting active lifestyles and healthy eating.

Our research in nutrition and physical activity spans basic metabolism and physiology, through clinical and behavioural studies, to community and population-based research.

Our research seeks to provide answers to some of the major chronic disease challenges. These include obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia and mental health, as well as improve quality of life for those suffering conditions such as muscular dystrophy and motor neurone disease.

Learn more about IPAN

Lecturers and IPAN researchers – in one

Most teaching staff at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences are members of IPAN and teach areas that closely align with their research interests. Teaching materials, such as case studies and assignments, are often modelled around current research evidence.

IPAN staff who are focused on full-time research also provide guest lectures and supervise research students.

Browse all school staff

Associate Professor Glenn Wadley

Research interests

  • The impacts of physical activity and nutrition on adult health.
  • Exercise and antioxidant therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis (synthesis) following exercise.

Teaches in:

  • health research practice
  • exercise metabolism
  • exercise physiology.

Dr Megan Teychenne

Research interests:

  • The associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviours and depression – particularly among women (including pregnant and postpartum) and socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
  • The development of strategies to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviours in at-risk population groups.

Lectures in:

  • exercise behaviour
  • physical activity promotion and evaluation
  • physical activity and population health.

Visit Dr Teychenne's profile

Dr Anne Turner

Research interests:

  • Stress physiology, endocrinology and the impact of stress on health.

Lectures in:

  • human structure and function
  • physiology of human growth and development
  • integrated human physiology.

Visit Dr Turner's profile