Deakin researchers bloom at the prestigious 2020 Tall Poppy Awards
Research news
Three Deakin University researchers have been recognised in the Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Awards for their innovative work in obesity, nutrition and cancer supportive care research.
Associate Professor Gary Sacks, Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow from Deakin’s Institute for Health Transformation, Global Obesity Centre and School of Health and Social Development; Dr Katherine Livingstone, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow from the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition and the School of Exercise and Nutrition Science; and Dr Anna Ugalde, Senior Research Fellow from the Institute for Health Transformation and the School of Nursing and Midwifery received their awards in last night’s ceremony.
Deakin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Alfred Deakin Professor Julie Owen’s said the multi-award win showcased Deakin’s researchers as sought-after innovators who are on their way to becoming world-leaders in their field.
“Deakin’s early-career researchers, Gary, Katherine and Anna’s achievement is outstanding. This work will have a big impact on not only establishing evidence-based solutions for the community, but also to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists.”
Associate Director of Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), the longest serving World Organisation Collaborating Centre for obesity prevention, A/Prof Sacks’ research aims to support governments and food company leaders to change their policies and practise to improve population diets and prevent obesity.
“Unhealthy diets and obesity are major public health issues in Australia. This award recognises that Deakin’s research is designed to directly inform policy change, including extensive engagement with policy makers to help support their decision-making in this important area of population health,” A/Prof Sacks said.
Dr Katherine Livingstone is Joint Domain Coordinator for Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition’s (IPAN) Food, Nutrition and Health Research Domain and her research aims to develop personalised nutrition approaches to improve population diets and health.
Her community engagement work also contributed to the Greater Bendigo Food Systems Strategy 2020-2030 and Bendigo’s successful bid to be a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
"It's such an honour to receive a Young Tall Poppy Science Award. I'm excited to be part of an inspiring community of scientists who are passionate about science communication! I also look forward to working with the Tall Poppy Campaign to promote interest and understanding of nutrition science within the broader community," Dr Livingstone said.
Dr Anna Ugalde is a Senior Research fellow in the Institute of Health Transformation’s Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS) and Deakin’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Her research interests include psycho-oncology with a focus on support for patients and caregivers affected by cancer and implementation science. Dr Ugalde is a current Victorian Cancer Agency Early Career Health Services Fellow, for a project embedding smoking cessation support across Victorian health services.
“I work to and enjoy communicating research to a variety of audiences; so, to be acknowledged with a Young Tall Poppy Science Award that reflects both science and communication is a wonderful recognition and comes with a lot of thanks to the collaborators who support this work.”
As 'Young Tall Poppy' Award recipients, A/Prof Sacks, Dr Livingstone and Dr Ugalde will have opportunities to talk about their research with school students, teachers and communities across Australia to inspire a passion for science in a new generation.
For more information:
Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Awards 2020.
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Key Fact
Dr Katherine Livingstone, Associate Professor Gary Sacks, and Dr Anna Ugalde have been recognised in the Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.