Postgraduate Students

The current postgraduate students studying at our Centre are:

PhD Students

  • Dr James Triplett: James is a first year PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and will be supported by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Research Entry Scholarship in 2024. James graduated from Medicine from the University of Newcastle and has completed a Master of Medicine through the University of Sydney. James completed neurology training and became a fellow of the RACP in 2018 and was the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) overseas fellow at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester (2018-2020) receiving further subspecialty training in neurophysiology and neuromuscular medicine. James' PhD studies focus on the pathophysiology and neurophysiological markers of diabetic neuropathy including the association of abnormal sphingolipid metabolism in the development of diabetic neuropathy. Principal supervisor: Dr Chinmay Marathe
  • Ms Elham Hosseini Marnani: Elham joined us in July 2023 from Iran where she completed a Master's degree in Public Health Nutrition. Through this course she gained valuable experience in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. She has conducted research in different areas including nutraceuticals, functional foods or natural bioactive compounds, cardiovascular health, reproductive health, Covid-19, and gut health and obtained specialised knowledge in nutrition sciences and dietetics by working in clinics and hospitals. Working in in-patient and outpatient settings has enabled her to function as an experienced dietician specialising in managing metabolic syndrome complications. Her PhD study aims to investigate autonomic neuropathy in indigenous and non-indigenous Australians with diabetes and pre-diabetes. The aim of this research is to find a clinical strategy to reduce the burden of diabetes-related complications. Principal supervisor: Dr Chinmay Marathe
  • Dr Aniket Nadkarni: Aniket commenced his PhD through the University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences in 2023. He completed his medical degree (MBBS) in 2010 through the University of New South Wales, and he attained Fellowship of the College of Intensive Care Medicine (FCICM) in 2021. His research will explore how to mitigate short and long-term complications of stress induced hyperglycaemia in the critically ill. Principal Supervisor: Associate Professor Mark Plummer.
  • Dr Ryan JallehRyan is a final year PhD candidate and is supported by a postgraduate NHMRC scholarship. He graduated from The University of Adelaide Medical School in 2013 with the honour of being the ceremony Mace Bearer. He was awarded both the prestigious Everard Prize and University Medal for his academic performance. Following graduation, he specialised in Endocrinology and became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2021. His PhD studies have been mentored by Prof Michael Horowitz, Prof Karen Jones and Prof David Torpy. He is investigating the relationships of gastric emptying, incretin hormones and glucoregulatory responses in people with diabetes and individuals who experience post-prandial hypoglycaemia. Since commencing his PhD in 2021, he has published 10 research articles (first author in 8). His research has been well-received internationally and on two occasions, he has presented his work as oral presentations at major global conferences.
  • Mr Matthew Summers: Matt is a Dietitian who commenced his PhD in July 2022 within the Facility of Health and Medical Sciences. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2007 and went on to study dietetics, graduating with a Master of Dietetics in 2014. The focus of Matt’s doctoral research is to evaluate enteral protein delivery in the critically ill. The aim of the research is to produce high quality evidence evaluating higher protein delivery and protein handling in critically ill patients to improve patient outcomes and functional recovery, in a patient group that often suffer from significant muscle wasting. Principal Supervisor: Associate Professor Lee-anne Chapple
  • Ms Elizabeth Viner-Smith: Elizabeth (Beth) gained a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (First Class Honours) from Flinders University before gaining experience as clinical dietitian at The Alfred Hospital (Melbourne) and St George's Hospital (London). Upon her return home to South Australia, Beth has been working as a clinical dietitian and commenced her PhD at The University of Adelaide in 2021 investigating critical care nutrition across the healthcare continuum. Beth's research aims to improve our understanding of nutrition challenges for critically ill adult patients and investigate nutrition related interventions to improve patient outcomes. Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Lee-anne Chapple
  • Ms Maryam Sajjad: Originally from Pakistan, Maryam earned her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Sciences before deciding to pursue a career in research. Her current research focuses on developing effective strategies to treat type 2 diabetes by understanding the gut functions in response to some amino acids and bitter substance. Specifically, she aims to  explore whether combined administration of leucine or isoleucine with quinine will lead to greater stimulation of gut hormones and slowing of gastric emptying, along with greater lowering of blood glucose, than each nutrient compound alone, in healthy individuals. Principle supervisor: Professor Christine Feinle-Bisset
  • Mr Javad Anjom Shoae: Javad's research will increase understanding of the gastrointestinal factors that underlie the energy intake-suppressant and glycaemia-regulatory effects of dietary nutrients, e.g. lipid and protein, and non-nutritive compounds, e.g. minerals. It represents a novel approach by targeting the effects of specific dietary nutrients and non-nutritive compounds on those gut function (gastrointestinal hormones, gut motility) which are associated with energy intake suppression and improvement of postprandial blood glucose. The ultimate goal of this research is to lay the foundation for the development of novel, nutrient-based strategies for both the prevention and management of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Principal supervisor: Professor Christine Feinle-Bisset
  • Mr Md. Kamruzzaman:  Zaman commenced his PhD at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences in 2022. He is originally from Bangladesh and has a background in Human Nutrition. He was awarded the Master of Science (M.Sc) degree in Nutririon and Rural Development from Ghent University, Belgium. His research will enhance the understanding of the gastrointestinal and  nutritional factors interrelated with hypoglycemia and delayed gastric emptying among diabetic and healthy  individuals. The primary goal of this research is to better understand the pattern of relation among nutritional factors, gastric emptying and glycemic control and to explore and develop the novel strategies for both the prevention and management of diabetes. Principal supervisor: Dr Chinmay Marathe
  • Ms Yixuan Sun: Yixuan's research is focused on the mechanisms underlying nutrient-gut interactions and their implications in the management of postprandial hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, which represent a highly important research field relating to the control of metabolic homeostasis. Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Tongzhi Wu
  • Mr Alexis Poole: Alexis a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide in the field of Acute Care Medicine. His research revolves around developing a personalised approach to glycaemic control in critically ill patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In addition to his work on glycaemic control, Alexis possesses a keen interest in evidence synthesis and is dedicated to enhancing clinical care. In his capacity as the Methods chair of the five panels at the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce, Alexis works on the production of living guidelines that equip healthcare professionals with the most up-to-date evidence, thereby optimizing the care of patients with COVID-19. Alexis's research interests extend beyond glycaemic control, encompassing areas such as nutrition delivery, blood product utilisation, sepsis, and the development of innovative methodologies for living evidence synthesis with the aim of advancing knowledge and improving patient outcomes. Principal Supervisor: Professor Adam Deane
  • Mr Braden Rose: Braden’s research encompasses fundamental laboratory science and small animal experiments, clinical studies in people with type 2 diabetes and bioinformatic and biostatistical analyses of datasets from large cohort studies. His work aims to investigate the mechanisms linking low-calorie sweeteners to impaired glycaemic control in health and type 2 diabetes. Principal Supervisor: Associate Professor Richard Young
  • Miss Lijun Zhao: Lijun is a medical graduate from Gansu, China. Her research focuses on diet pattern and obesity, circadian rhythms, sleep and breath disorders and endocrinology diseases. She has a particular interest in understanding how time-restricted eating restores circadian rhythms to improve metabolic health. Principal supervisor: Professor Leonie Heilbronn
  • Ms Michelle Shaw: Michelle is the Manager of Zoo & Wildlife Nutrition and Acting Manager of Wildlife Health & Rehabilitation for Taronga Conservation Society Australia.  She manages Taronga’s Hospitals and Nutrition program, consults and provides nutrition advice to zoos, rescue and conservation programs internationally. Michelle spent ten years as a Nutrition Researcher and Nutrition Supervisor at Toronto Zoo in Canada after receiving a BSc. Animal Biology and an MSc. Comparative Animal Nutrition from the University of Guelph. For the last 25 years she has focused her efforts on improving the nutrition of managed species by studying adaptations to their natural diet and promoting the understanding of the effect of diet on overall health. Her PhD research investigates monotreme digestive adaptations and the underlying processes of nutrient assimilation providing novel insights for improved nutritional management of Short-beaked echidnas through all life stages. Principal supervisor: Professor Frank Grutzner

 

Our Honours Students

  • Dr Katerina Flabouris: Katerina commenced her MPhil at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences in 2023 examining perioperative glycaemic control and post-operative outcomes in Indigenous Australians with diabetes mellitus undergoing surgery in South Australia. This project is on a background of clinical work as a medical registrar throughout various SA Health public hospitals as an Advanced Trainee with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, dual-training in Endocrinology and General & Acute Care Medicine. Her qualifications include an MBBS from the University of Adelaide, and a Master of Perioperative Medicine from Monash University. The aim of this novel research is to identify and explore any differences in perioperative glycaemic control between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and evaluate any effects on their post-operative outcomes. Principal Supervisor: Dr Chinmay Marathe

 

Other research students

  • Dr Joshua Kovoor: Joshua’s PhD project in the Discipline of Surgery investigates the characteristics of gastrointestinal recovery after general surgery. He completed Honours with the CRE in 2020. Principal Supervisor: Professor Guy Maddern
  • Dr Lian Huynh: Lian is a junior doctor working at the Central Adelaide Health Network, with a keen interest in endocrinology. In 2018, she completed an Honours year with the CRE, assessing the effect of chronic administration of exenatide once-weekly on gastric emptying in healthy older people. Principal supervisor: Professor Karen Jones. Since then, she continues to do collaborative research with the group.
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Our 2023 Graduates

  • Dr Weikun Huang: Weikun's work focuses on developing organ-on-chip platform for studying the endocrine functions of gut and pancreas and the identification of novel therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes (T2D). He is also interested in understanding the role of bitter taste signalling in mediating gut and pancreatic hormone secretion in health and T2D. Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Tongzhi Wu
  • Dr Peyman Rezaie: Peyman obtained a Masters in Clinical Nutrition from the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2015. Having a background in medical laboratory sciences, a major focus of his research relates to the implications of dietary nutrients and non-nutrient compounds, bitter tastants, in developing management/therapeutic strategies for NCDs, particularly type 2 diabetes and obesity. Peyman graduated in 2023 with a thesis entitled, “The effects of the bitter substance, quinine, on postprandial blood glucose, energy intake and associated gut functions in health and type 2 diabetes”. Principal Supervisor: Professor Christine Feinle-Bisset
  • Dr Avneet Oberoi: A significant focus of Avneet’s research relates to the effects of nutrients, particularly protein and glucose, on appetite regulation, blood glucose, insulin and underlying gastrointestinal mechanisms in the elderly, especially with type 2 diabetes. She postulates that various interrelated gut mechanisms underpin the regulation of energy intake by nutrient ingestion and that these will be disordered in older people, particularly those malnourished (obese or undernourished). During her PhD, she worked on a series of physiological studies of whey protein in older people with a focus on feeding behaviour, nutrition, Type 2 diabetes, and post-prandial hypotension with the aim to develop effective and evidence-based treatments that can then be delivered to older people in a variety of settings to provide the maximum benefit for health and quality of life. Avneet graduated in 2023. Principal supervisor: Professor Ian Chapman
  • Dr Christina McVeay: Christina graduated in 2023 with a thesis entitled, “Regulation of Energy Intake and Blood Glucose by Dietary Nutrients – Implications for Novel Therapeutic Approaches to Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes”. Research presented in this thesis investigated the acute effects of combining dietary nutrients, specifically, lauric acid, with L-tryptophan or L-leucine, on gastrointestinal functions, including gastric emptying, gut motility and hormone release, glycaemia, and subsequent energy intake in healthy individuals. Lauric acid and L-tryptophan, given at loads that individually have no effect on energy intake, potently suppress energy intake of a subsequent meal when combined, by complimentary gastrointestinal mechanisms, known to be associated with the regulation of energy intake and blood glucose. If efficacious, these nutrients may offer a novel, nutrient-based strategy for the management of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. Her thesis was awarded a Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Research. Principal Supervisor: Professor Christine Feinle-Bisset