Barbara's PhD story
Barbara Brayner's research aims to understand how eating a dietary pattern high in fats, including foods such as avocados, nuts and oily fish, impacts individuals' risk of gaining weight or developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Why did you decide to do a PhD?
Nutrition science has always been my passion. During my undergraduate studies in Brazil, I had the opportunity to do an internship at a research institute in the UK and I fell in love with research right then and there. I was always fascinated in understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of things. So, doing a PhD was a dream come true for me – being able to research a topic I am passionate about full time.
The more we understand which factors contribute to poor health, the more we can have targeted approaches to prevent and treat diseases.
Barbara Brayner
Why is health and medical research important?
Health is a key aspect to our wellbeing, whether it is physical or mental health. The more we understand which factors contribute to poor health, the more we can have targeted approaches to prevent and treat diseases. Health research is important as it helps advance our understanding of how simple changes in our diets can have real impacts on heart health.
What support did your supervisor and Deakin provide during your PhD?
I did my PhD during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I can say without a doubt that Deakin and my supervisory team provided me with all the support I needed. I received a Deakin scholarship during my PhD, which helped me maintain financial stability. I also received guidance on my PhD thesis from my team of supervisors and more importantly, I had emotional support. Having a supportive supervisory team made all the difference in my PhD journey.
What impact will your research work have on the world?
I believe that the findings from my PhD research will have direct impacts on individual health. By understanding the benefits of eating a healthier diet and what that diet may look like, people can take charge of their eating habits and improve their overall health. By including healthy fats in our diets, eating more nuts, seeds and avocados, we are less likely to gain weight or develop cardiovascular disease over the long term, which I believe is an important finding.
What’s next? Where do you hope your PhD will take you?
I have very recently submitted my PhD thesis and I have accepted a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position within Deakin's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition. I hope to continue to build my research skills and capacity, making meaningful contributions to nutrition science that will have a real-world impact on people’s lives, while also continuing to enjoy the research journey I have so far.
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