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HDR Scholarship – Next-generation wearable technologies in human health and performance

This project explores if wearable sensor technologies can improve the measurement of human health and performance through real-time physiological and functional measurements in clinical, occupational, recreational, and sport settings.

A Household Robot to improve self-management behaviours in people with heart failure

As part of an NHMRC-funded IDEAS grant, we have a PhD opportunity to help design, develop and evaluate a Temi 3 household mobile robot for home monitoring to support self-management for people living with heart failure.

Advancing our understanding of the health benefits of nuts and seeds

In this project, the PhD candidate will investigate the health benefits of nuts/seeds in three main areas: 1) examine how the relationships between nuts/seeds and chronic diseases can be influenced by how these foods are eaten in a diet; 2) understand the benefits of nuts/seeds on brain and mental health; and 3) explore how different types and forms of nuts/seeds can be utilised to optimise dietary intake and body weight.

Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle scholarship- Impact of heat on cognitive function

After recent deaths of military personnel from heat exposure, there is a need to better understand the consequences of working in the heat and develop mitigation strategies to avoid further preventable deaths. The project primarily investigates the impact of consecutive days of working in the heat performing simulated military tasks. This project is part of a larger program of work and the successful candidate will become part of this research team.

The influence of muscle mass in estimated energy requirement in cancer.

This PhD project aims to evaluate the influence of muscle mass, and proxies for predicting muscle mass, in estimated energy requirements in cancer.

Understanding implementation effectiveness of school-based physical activity interventions in Australia and internationally

This project will identify key factors contributing to implementation effectiveness at scale, using pooled data from Australian and international school-based interventions. Key barriers and facilitators to implementation, as well as adaptations and identification of core program elements related to effectiveness will be compared.

HDR Scholarship – Implementing “sit less, move more” in healthcare

Physical activity is one of the most powerful modifiable risk factors for chronic disease, yet its adoption in Australian healthcare remains low and evidence-based physical activity interventions have rarely been implemented in primary care and clinical settings. There is an opportunity for a PhD student to join the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes for this scholarship opportunity to implement and evaluate a “sit less, move more” intervention within the healthcare setting.

HDR Scholarship – Health impact of working from home

The new “working from home” model has created much needed flexibility for workers in the face of COVID restrictions. However, it has also cut opportunities for active commuting, incidental physical activity, and social interaction associated with face-to-face meetings. It is unknown what the toll of this will be on metabolic and cognitive health. This PhD scholarship opportunity, with the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes, will investigate whether the working from home model poses a health risk to portions of the population due to changes in the pattern of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and social interaction throughout the day.

Implementation and scale-up of interventions targeting physical activity, nutrition and sleep: An exploration of leverage points and strategies

The aim of this project is to identify leverage points and strategies that relate to, and may enhance, implementation and scale-up of interventions population wide. The project will also lead to the development of an evidence-based resource on leverage points and strategies that can assist others wishing to scale public health interventions in the future.

HDR Scholarship – Reducing drowning: understanding factors which contribute to risk and targeting those at risk

Can dietary supplementation with Krill-Oil improve ME/CFS symptoms?

We are exploring the impact of krill oil supplementation on symptoms of fatigue and pain in patients with CFS/ME.

Understanding resistance to sustainable travel

This PhD project will explore community resistance to policies and initiatives that promote and support sustainable travel (walking, cycling and public transport).

Can exercise training improve intervertebral disc health?

The overall aim of this PhD is to explore whether exercise training can improve intervertebral disc health and reduce the burden associated with low back pain.

A Smart-Heart ecosystem to improve self-management behaviours in people with heart failure

As part of an NHMRC-funded IDEAS grant, we are seeking PhD candidates to join the digital health team to design, develop and evaluate a Smart-Heart ecosystem to support self-management for people living with heart failure.

Information Technology for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Patients with CVD require support at home and out of hospital settings where they spent most of their time. However, such interventions are often difficult to implement and expensive. Using information technology, we aim to improve risk factors monitoring, self-management and develop a new model-of-care for secondary prevention of CVD in Australia and globally.

Understanding healthy fat consumption in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diet is one of the cornerstones of type 2 diabetes management and healthy dietary fats are known to provide several metabolic benefits. However, the relationship between recommendations from healthcare professionals, patients’ perceptions and consumption of healthy fats is not well understood.

Exploring how exercise, oxidative stress and antioxidant treatment regulate insulin action in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The impact to society and health implications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) are well-characterised, yet the specific mechanisms behind T2D development, disease progression, and treatment strategies targeting the root aetiology remain elusive. Excess oxidative stress has been linked to impaired insulin action (the body’s ability to respond to insulin and metabolise glucose) and the subsequent development of T2D.

Using the Youth Activity Profile tool to determine just how active children really are

It is important for government, schools, teachers, parents and others to capture accurate estimates of children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Australia. It is also of benefit to compare how Australian children are tracking compared to other countries such as the US, UK and Europe. The Youth Activity Profile (YAP) has been shown to accurately estimate US primary school children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour and provides the potential to monitor compliance with physical activity guidelines.

Is park visitation associated with reduced stress levels?

We are currently undertaking research on park visitation in urban environments and we are interested in measuring the impact of park visitation on stress levels.  In this project, the PhD student will start by undertaking a systematic review of the literature on the impact of exposure to natural outdoor environments on physiological and psychological stress levels.  The student will then design and conduct one or more experiments among park users.

Novel telehealth approaches for delivering lifestyle programs for older adults with chronic disease

A number of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and sarcopenia (the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function), contribute to loss of independence and poor quality of life in older adults. Current guidelines endorse the prescription of exercise and nutrition interventions to maintain health and independence, however older adults with chronic diseases are among the least likely to engage in these recommendations.