Researcher

Keywords

Fields of Research (FoR)

Nutrition and dietetics, Teacher and student wellbeing, Food sustainability, Food sciences, Nutritional science, Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified

SEO tags

Biography

I am a PhD-qualified Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD) with over 25 years of experience spanning academia, clinical dietetics, and industry. At UNSW, I am the Associate Professor Interdisciplinary Education for the School of Health Sciences, where I lead the design and delivery of HLTH3001 and HLTH5000, integrating innovative teaching practices with a strong focus on career development and interprofessional collaboration. My...view more

I am a PhD-qualified Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD) with over 25 years of experience spanning academia, clinical dietetics, and industry. At UNSW, I am the Associate Professor Interdisciplinary Education for the School of Health Sciences, where I lead the design and delivery of HLTH3001 and HLTH5000, integrating innovative teaching practices with a strong focus on career development and interprofessional collaboration. My teaching philosophy centers on fostering critically reflective learning environments that empower students and prepare them for the dynamic landscape of health professions.

Beyond academia, my extensive contributions to allied health sectors and industry have shaped my broad knowledge of different health professions and the contemporary health workforce. I have been involved in the design and launch of allied health services, such as the early intervention eating disorder service for Headspace Illawarra and nutrition/exercise physiology services in residential aged care facilities. As a consultant to Research Development Centres and private equity firms, I have led industry-focused projects translating research into practice and commercial opportunities. My leadership roles within professional organisations, such as the Nutrition Society of Australia and Dietitians Australia, further exemplify my dedication to advocating for and shaping the future of health professions.

In my previous appointment as the Academic Program Director Nutrition Science at the University of Wollongong, I was recognised for my design-led thinking approaches and ability to build impactful multidisciplinary teams, fostering equity, inclusivity, and collaborative decision-making towards mutual goals. My professional journey is underpinned by reflective practice, lifelong learning, and a deep commitment to mentoring students, new graduates, and colleagues, while also continually seeking mentorship for my own growth.


My Grants

 SUCCESSFUL GRANTS 

UOW MIHS Start-Up Grant, 2024

Stefoska-Needham, A. (CI) Employing a Delphi process to establish consensus on scope-of-practice in nutrition science in Australia

$20,000

UOW Health Innovations Grant, 2024

Stefoska-Needham, A. (CI) International Partnership Building in Europe.

$3,000

UOW Global Challenges, 2024.

Kiridena, S (CI), Charlton, K, Bandaranayake, N, Zhou, S, Stefoska-Needham, A, Cook, N, Brennan-Horley, C, Pickles, S. Developing circular economy-aligned scalable supply chains for local agri-food systems

 

$10,000

UOW RITA grant, 2022.

Lambert, K (CI), Charlton, K, Bowles, Jiang, Hassan, Stanford ,J, Stefoska-Needham, A. Exploring the impact of plant-based eating for people with kidney disease: saving the planet and improving human health?

$42,834

UOW SMAH Advancement Grant, 2020.

Stefoska-Needham, A (CI), Charlton K. SYMBIOTiC StudySYMptom, microBIOme and dieT in Chronic Kidney Disease

$16,000

UOW HIRC Grant, 2020.

Stefoska-Needham, A. (CI) SYMBIOTiC StudySYMptom, microBIOme and dieT in Chronic Kidney Disease

$10,000

 


My Qualifications

PhD. University of Wollongong, Australia, 2016.

Thesis: “Investigating the potential of whole grain sorghum as an ingredient in foods to assist in the prevention of chronic disease”.

MSc. (Nutrition and Dietetics) University of Wollongong, Australia, 1999.

Thesis: “Efficacy of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Hospital Inpatients”.

BSc. (Biology and Nutrition) University of Wollongong, Australia, 1996.


My Awards

 SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, COMMENDATIONS

 Scholarships -

  • Australian Postgraduate Industry-Sponsored Award (Sanitarium Health), 2012-2016;
  • King and Amy O’Malley Scholarship, 2014-2016.

 Awards -

  • Health Impacts Research Cluster, UOW – EMCR Publication Prize, 2020;
  • Young Researcher Award (Best Scientific Poster) at the Dietary Fiber Conference, Paris, 2015;
  • GRDC travel grant to support attendance at AACCI Conference, Rhode Island, 2014;
  • AACCI student award to support attendance at AACCI Conference, Rhode Island, 2014;
  • GRDC travel grant to support attendance at ICC Conference, Freemantle, 2013.

 Commendations - Examiner commendation for excellent thesis, UOW, 2016.


My Research Activities

My research activities are clustered around five distinct areas:

  • Food for Human Health: Investigating the effects and adoption of different foods in daily diets, notably sorghum and wholegrain consumption.

  • Best Practice in Clinical Dietetics: Generating evidence to support guidance across various clinical areas (colorectal surgery, eating disorders, osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease, gut microbiome, and more) and exploring gamification for healthy lifestyle behaviours.

  • Student and Graduate Experiences: Focusing on curriculum, course design, career readiness, employment opportunities for nutrition science students, workforce issues for male dietitians, and eating disorder training and education for dietitians.

  • Service/Systems Design: Including renal services in the Illawarra region, digital nutrition education resources for people living with Multiple Sclerosis and their healthcare practitioners, and nutrition/food provision services for vulnerable Australians.

  • Food Systems-Related Research: Understanding the current state of urban agriculture in Australia.

These projects have employed a breadth of study designs and methods of analysis, from clinical dietary trials and systematic reviews to surveys, qualitative studies, design-thinking, persona development, reflexive thematic analysis and social network analysis, and have involved supervision of over 60 Honours, Masters, and PhD students.


My Research Supervision


Supervision keywords


Areas of supervision

Nutrition and Dietetics - generating evidence to guide clinical practice 

Food effects - measuring impacts on measures of health and disease

Student learning, engagement and career readiness 

Service design


Currently supervising

Primary Supervision

2025 UOW Honours and Masters dietetics students - all 6 due for completion in November 2025. 

Co-Supervision - PhD Students 

S. Allogmanny, Supporting nutrition care in clinical practice: Co-development of evidence-based digital educational resources for multiple sclerosis.

S. Pickles, Developing a sustainable, healthy and equitable food system in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region of NSW.

 

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Publications

by Ms Anita Stefoska-Needham