Food for thought

Millions for research

DEAKIN University academics have been awarded millions of dollars by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to continue world-leading health research.

Two Geelong academics are among those who have received funding from the health body.

Academic Rebecca Leech is based at Waurn Ponds and is a research fellow at Deakin’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition.

Dr Leech received funding for her work examining what people eat and how they’re eating to highlight opportunities to promote healthier food choices.

The project will collect realtime data on what people are eating and the broader context in which they make food decisions, including through the use of novel technologies such as wearable cameras.

Associate Professor Lana Williams, who is based at the Centre for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment in Geelong, will lead her team in a series of studies to better understand the link between mental and physical health.

A particular area of focus will be the link between bone health and psychiatric disorders.

Deakin was awarded $7.88 million from the NHMRC for five new investigator grants and one partnership project grant in the recently announced funding round.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research Professor Julie Owens congratulated the successful applicants on their outstanding achievements.

“These academics and their colleagues work long and hard to have our research recognised and rewarded in this way,” Prof Owens said.

“It’s particularly heartening to see researchers represented here who are early in their careers, recognised alongside some of our fantastic senior leaders.”