About
Improving health and quality of life through research
Prevention and management of chronic diseases starts with quality research. At IPAN, we conduct world-leading research into all aspects of physical activity and nutrition across the lifespan, from conception to old age.
Alfred Deakin Professor Jo Salmon
IPAN DirectorOur research is ranked well above world standard*. It spans from the lab to real-world settings, including studying the biological mechanisms behind exercise and nutrition; using technology and exercise to prevent and manage chronic conditions; innovative solutions to improve nutrition; increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in our community; and develop evidence-based food policy.
Through our research, we strive to improve health outcomes in populations all over the world. 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.
* Australian Research Council (2019). State of Australian University Research 2018–19: ERA National Report. Australian Research Council, Canberra.
Alfred Deakin Professor Jo Salmon
IPAN DirectorAbout us
Our vision is to improve the health of all populations through physical activity and nutrition research excellence.
Our purpose is to conduct high quality multidisciplinary physical activity and nutrition research to actively inform policy and practice to improve health, and build capacity in the field.
People
Director
Director, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
Alfred Deakin Professor Jo Salmon
Deputy Director, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
Alfred Deakin Professor Anna Timperio
Deputy Director, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition
Professor Michelle Keske
Members
Head of School
Professor Brad Aisbett
Professor
Professor Lisa Barnett
Professor
Professor Lucinda Black
Professor
Professor Clinton Bruce
Professor
Professor Karen Campbell
Chair in Exercise and Ageing
Professor Robin Daly
Head, Baker Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes and Chair, Lifestyle and Diabetes
Professor David Dunstan
Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow
Professor Kylie Hesketh
Professor
Professor Mark Lawrence
Professor in Physical Activity and Disease Prevention
Professor Ralph Maddison
Professor
Alfred Deakin Professor Sarah McNaughton
Professor in Dietetics
Professor Judi Porter
Associate Head of School, International and Partnerships
Professor Aaron Russell
Associate Head of School, Research
Professor Glenn Wadley
Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology
Associate Professor Steve Fraser
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
Associate Professor Shariful Islam
Clinical Associate Professor
Associate Professor Nicole Kiss
ARC Future Fellow
Associate Professor Severine Lamon
Associate Professor, Public Health Nutrition
Associate Professor Rachel Laws
Associate Professor
Associate Professor Luana Main
Associate Professor (Research)
Associate Professor David Scott
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
Associate Professor Megan Teychenne
Associate Professor
Associate Professor Susan Torres
Associate Professor
Associate Professor Jenny Veitch
Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning)
Associate Professor Stuart Warmington
ARC DECRA Research Fellow
Dr Lauren Arundell
Victorian Cancer Agency Early Career Research Fellow
Dr Brenton Baguley
ARC Future Fellow
Dr Phil Baker
Senior Lecturer, Exercise Science (Lifespan)
Dr Andrew Betik
Senior Lecturer Nutrition Sciences
Dr Kristy Bolton
Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning, Food, Nutrition & Dietetics)
Dr Alison Booth
Lecturer, Nutrition Science
Dr Alissa Burnett
Research Fellow
Dr Ana Maria Contardo Ayala
NHMRC Early Career Fellow
Dr Paddy Dempsey
Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Suzanne Dixon-Suen
Lecturer, Physical Activity and Health
Dr Katherine Downing
Lecturer, Strength and Conditioning Sciences
Dr Jackson Fyfe
Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Kidane Gebremariam
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Elena George
Senior Lecturer Population Nutrition
Dr Carley Grimes
Lecturer, Exercise Physiology across the Lifespan
Dr Lee Hamilton
Lecturer, Motor Learning
Dr Ashlee Hendy
Research Fellow
Dr Danielle Hiam
Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
Dr Kirsten Howlett
Executive Dean Research Fellow
Dr Paul Jansons
Senior Lecturer, Nutritional Sciences
Dr Gunveen Kaur
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Harriet Koorts
Senior Lecturer
Dr Greg Kowalski
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Konsita Kuswara
Senior Lecturer in Nutritional Science
Dr Katie Lacy
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Natalie Lander
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
Dr Rebecca Leech
Dean's Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Rebecca Lindberg
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
Dr Katherine Livingstone
Research Fellow
Dr Venurs Loh
Senior Lecturer, Community and Public Health Nutrition
Dr Penny Love
Dean's Strategic Implementation Science Fellow
Dr Jiani Ma
Research Fellow
Dr Priscila Machado
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Helen Macpherson
Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Science
Dr Matthew McKenzie
Senior Lecturer
Dr Claire Margerison
Lecturer, Nutrition Science
Dr Shaun Mason
Executive Dean Research Fellow
Dr Emiliano Mazzoli
Executive Dean Research Fellow
Dr Jakub Mesinovic
Senior Lecturer
Dr Clint Miller
Senior Lecturer
Dr Catherine Milte
Senior Lecturer
Dr Niamh Mundell
Lecturer, Community and Public Health Nutrition
Dr Janandani Nanayakkara
Alfred Deakin Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Lucas Orssatto
Research Fellow
Dr Patrick Owen
NHMRC / National Heart Foundation Early Career Fellow
Dr Lewan Parker
Executive Dean Health Research Fellow
Dr Susan Paudel
Research Fellow
Dr Jonathan Rawstorn
Senior Lecturer, Food Innovation
Dr Georgie Russell
Senior Lecturer
Dr Shannon Sahlqvist
Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
Dr Chris Shaw
Senior Lecturer
Dr Alison Spence
Senior Lecturer
Dr Claudia Strugnell
Senior Lecturer
Dr Ewa Szymlek-Gay
Lecturer, Exercise and Sport Science
Dr Jamie Tait
Senior Lecturer, Nutrition Sciences
Dr Sze Yen Tan
Associate Research Fellow
Dr Teketo Tegegne
Research Fellow
Dr Hannah Thomas
Senior Lecturer
Dr Anne Turner
Senior Lecturer, Nutrition and Dietetics
Dr Paige van der Pligt
Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Simone Verswijveren
Lecturer, Physical Activity and Health
Dr Anthony Walsh
Lecturer, Physical Activity and Health
Dr Kim Way
Executive Dean Health Research Fellow
Dr Michael Wheeler
Research Fellow, Digital Health
Dr Yuxin Zhang
Senior Research Fellow, NHMRC Early Career
Dr Jazzmin Zheng
Facilities
Our researchers have access to world class sport and nutrition science and laboratory facilities at Deakin’s Burwood and Geelong campuses.
This includes:
- State-of-the-art laboratories to take and analyse muscle and adipose tissue samples, common blood and urine biomarkers, ranging from simple blood lipids to more complex hormonal, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and undertake nutritional analysis.
- A research gymnasium to undertake resistance (strength) training, aerobic exercise, and high velocity functional power training tests.
Our facilities are extensively equipped with specialised equipment to allow for innovative research including:
- Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines to accurately measure changes in total body and regional bone mineral density (BMD), bone structure and strength as well as body composition [lean tissue mass, fat mass, muscle cross-sectional area, subcutaneous fat area)
- Electrocardiogram to measure heart rate and heart rate variability
- Metabolic carts to measure oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, to determine a person’s metabolic rate; how many calories a person burns in a day; and whether a person prefers to burn fat or carbohydrate.
- Ultrasound machine to measure cardiovascular function including blood flow.
- Metabolic gas analysers to assess maximal oxygen uptake and blood sampling devices.
- Commercial-grade gym equipment, speed and power testing equipment.
Annual reports
Our history
The Physical Activity and Nutrition Research Unit was established with just four staff (pictured) at Deakin University in 2001.
In 2003, the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition (C-PAN) was launched by then Governor of Victoria, the Hon. John Landy AC, as a Faculty-level research centre, and in 2004 became a University Research Priority Area.
By 2010, C-PAN had become a Strategic Research Centre within Deakin, and had expanded to 40 staff. In 2016 C-PAN was designated University Research Institute status and officially became the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN).
Today, IPAN has more than 90 research staff members, as well as five professional staff. Alfred Deakin Professor Jo Salmon is Director.
Two of the four founding members remain IPAN members. While Alfred Deakin Professors David Crawford and Kylie Ball have moved on, they are still involved with IPAN in an honorary capacity as Emeritus Professors.
The original IPAN founders, L-R: Alfred Deakin Professors Jo Salmon, David Crawford, Anna Timperio and Kylie Ball