About

The department builds on a long-standing collaboration between the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and the Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition.

Together, we have led nationally significant research into physical activity, nutrition and the prevention of chronic disease. Our diverse team of researchers helps to improve the way we prevent, manage and live with type 2 diabetes. Our team works across disciplines, bridging laboratory science, clinical trials, policy and community-based practice.

Our people

Our leader

Professor David Dunstan

The Baker-Deakin DLD is led by Professor David Dunstan, an internationally recognised researcher. His expertise focuses on the role of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Professor Dunstan’s work has shaped global guidelines and informed national health policy in Australia. He has been named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher five times and secured significant external funding from organisations including the NHMRC, VicHealth and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

Professor Dunstan holds dual appointments at the Baker Institute and Deakin University and he leads the department with a focus on translating research into measurable health improvements.

Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition

Professor David Dunstan Head of the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes

Professor Robin Daly Chair In Exercise and Ageing

Professor Michelle Keske Professor, Physiology and Metabolism

Professor Ralph Maddison Professor, Physical Activity and Disease Prevention

Deakin Distinguished Professor Jo Salmon Deakin Distinguished Professor

Associate Professor Shannon Sahlqvist Associate Professor

Dr Paddy Dempsey Senior Research Fellow

Dr Elena George Senior Lecturer

Dr Paul Jansons Research Fellow

Dr Gunveen Kaur Senior Lecturer

Dr Rebecca Leech Senior Lecturer

Dr Lewan Parker Senior Research Fellow

Dr Jonathan Rawstorn Senior Research Fellow

Dr Simone Verswijveren Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow 

Dr Kim Way Senior Lecturer

Dr Michael Wheeler Lecturer, Physical Activity and Health

Dr Yuxin Zhang Research Fellow

Deakin Institute for Health Transformation

Professor Jane Speight Professor

Professor Tim Skinner Professor

Associate Professor Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott Associate Professor

Associate Professor Jaithri Ananthapavan Associate Professor

Dr Anna Chapman Senior Research Fellow

Dr Phuong Nguyen Executive Dean of Health Research Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Health Research Fellow

Deakin Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation

Professor Abbas Khosravi Professor

Deakin School of Information Technology

Associate Professor Chandan Karmakar Associate Professor

Applied Artificial Intelligence Initiative

Associate Professor Rena Logothetis Associate Professor

Deakin Research Academy

Dr Wade Kelly Senior Lecturer

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Associate Professor Erin Howden

Professor Eylem Levelt

Associate Professor Neale Cohen

Associate Professor Natalie Nanyakkara

Dr Jack Talbot

Research at the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes is also supported by several staff and PhD students across both Deakin University and the Baker Health and Diabetes Institute.

Governance

Head, Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes

The Baker-Deakin DLD is currently led by Professor David Dunstan, the Department Head.

Management group

The Head, Baker-Deakin DLD reports to the Department Supervisory Group:

Professor John Greenwood
Director and Chief Executive Officer, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Professor Jonathan Shaw
Head, Clinical Diabetes and Epidemiology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Deakin Distinguished Professor Rachel Huxley
Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Deakin University

Deakin Distinguished Professor Anna Timperio
Director, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University