Our research spans from the lab to real world settings. We conduct metabolism, physiology, clinical and behavioural studies, and community and population-based research.​

Our team collaborates nationally and internationally, as well as across disciplines. We’re also committed to nurturing a new generation of leading researchers, through a supportive and dynamic research environment.​

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Our research domains​ ​

We have four research domains: the Biology of Health and Disease, Preventing and Managing Chronic Conditions, Healthy Active Living, and Food, Nutrition and Health. We also host the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes.

Biology of health and disease

The overarching aim of research in this domain is to characterise and understand the biological mechanisms by which exercise and nutrition impact health. Research in this domain includes healthy and clinical populations across the lifespan – from growth in the womb to ageing.

Healthy active living​

This domain focuses on real-world solutions to increase population levels of physical activity and consists of three research groups; Physical activity and sedentary behaviour from infancy to young adulthood; Built and natural environments for healthy living​; and Worker health and stress.​

Preventing and managing chronic conditions

The focus of this research is the development, implementation, evaluation and translation of lifestyle-based solutions for the prevention and management of chronic diseases . This includes cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal-related conditions, brain, cognitive and mood-related disorders, and cancer. ​

Food, nutrition and health

Unhealthy diets are the leading contributor to the global burden of disease and research in this domain includes developing and evaluating interventions and translating research into policy and practice.   ​

Connect with us to improve our collective health

Whether you’re looking for partnership or PhD opportunities, or to make a gift to further our important research, we would love to hear from you.

Our dynamic team is focused on positively transforming lives in our communities by undertaking high-quality research that influences policy, practices and programs.

Alfred Deakin Professor, Jo Salmon​ Director

The Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN)

Our research  leaders

Alfred Deakin Professor Jo Salmon

Director

With a focus on child and youth physical activity and sedentary behaviour in particular, Professor Salmon’s research has led to effective strategies to reduce and break up children’s and adolescents’ sitting and promote physical activity in the school and home settings.

Alfred Deakin Professor Anna Timperio​

Deputy Director

Professor Timperio's research is focused on understanding the range of influences on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and eating behaviours, particularly among children and adolescents, and over critical life transition periods such as childhood to adolescence, and adolescence to young adulthood.

Associate Professor Michelle Keske

Deputy Director

Associate Professor Keske is internationally recognised for her contribution to the study of muscle microvascular blood flow and her expertise in the development of techniques to assess microvascular blood flow in vivo in humans and animals.

Feature projects

IPAN is recognised as a leader in innovative, high-quality research that translates into real-world applications. We have many national and international research collaborations which both strengthens our expertise and offers exciting opportunities for our staff and PhD students.

Is testosterone really the key to a female’s athletic performance?

Is testosterone really the key to a female’s athletic performance?

This research project aims to discover whether testosterone, the major male hormone that is also found in females, is a direct determinant of muscle adaptation and athletic performance in females.

What factors influence our decisions about what we eat?

What factors influence our decisions about what we eat?

Eating is a complex behaviour embedded in social and environmental context. Dr Rebecca Leech is exploring combinations of foods at meals and snacks across the day and identifying connections around food choices at different eating occasions.

Our collaborations​

By working together we can achieve so much more than we can on our own. At IPAN we see working with stakeholders and partners as critical to our research success. ​

IPAN is recognised as a leader in innovative, high-quality research that translates into real-world applications. By making IPAN experts available to our partners and international networks, we provide the evidence needed to inform programs and policies that affect health. ​

We are keen to hear from organisations interested in connecting with us to answer important research questions. Starting discussions early is critical. If you have an idea, please contact us

Contact us

Stay in touch with us to hear about the latest alumni opportunities, research news and much more. Have a question? Get in touch with the team. ​

03 9244 6613
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