Associate Professor Therese O'Sullivan
2 MIN READ

Learn with leaders at ECU

Postgraduate students at ECU benefit from research-informed expertise, providing them with the tools, skills and knowledge to boost their career and shape the jobs and industries of the future.

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Learn with leaders at ECU

The world is full of questions that need answers.

Experts from Edith Cowan University (ECU) are at the forefront of both teaching and world-leading research – helping students and professionals answer tomorrow’s questions today.

Postgraduate students at ECU benefit from research-informed expertise, providing them with the tools, skills and knowledge to boost their career and shape the jobs and industries of the future.

Busting dietary myths

Associate Professor Therese O’Sullivan teaches nutrition and dietetics at ECU. She is also studying the potential health benefits of dairy fat in the diet.

Her research has busted the myth that children who consume full-fat dairy products have an increased risk of obesity or heart disease, following both a review of 29 studies from around the world, and conducting her own randomised controlled trial with Perth children. ECU Master of Nutrition and Dietetics students also gained real-world experience working on the ground-breaking study.

“Dietary guidelines in Australia and other countries currently recommend children primarily consume reduced-fat dairy products to maintain a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health,” Associate Professor O’Sullivan said.

The findings have highlighted the need for more evidence-based dietary advice for parents and kids.

“Our research gives our nutrition and dietetics students the confidence to put on their critical thinking hat and challenge assumptions.”

There are also good employment prospects for Accredited Practising Dietitians, with the Australian Government’s Job Outlook website projecting strong future growth over the next five years.

Health Science professionals with a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics from ECU will be well positioned to answer the call.

Make a positive impact on the health of others: ecuworldready.com.au/dietetics

Unlocking better medical practices

ECU’s Dr Stacey Reinke is another trailblazing researcher in science. She’s also a recipient of the prestigious Metabolomics Society President’s medal.

Dr Reinke’s research looks at data as the driving force behind understanding biology and disease.

“My main focus and research is a field called metabolomics. I look at all the chemicals in the body and try to look for underlying patterns,” Dr Reinke said.

Through her internationally acclaimed research in asthma, Dr Reinke used new metabolomics tools to unlock those insights, including state-of-the-art technology to measure metabolites and computational workflows to interrogate data.

“My research into unlocking better diagnostic practices will help postgrads in their own research.”

For more information on studying Science at ECU: ecuworldready.com.au/sciences

Flexibility to get your career moving

You may already have a bachelor’s degree or professional experience. But a postgraduate degree can give you the edge needed to succeed in your chosen career – or transition to a new one.

ECU provides flexible study options including online and part-time, which means you can choose how you study, to suit your life and work commitments.

Courses and world-class facilities are designed and developed in consultation with industry to ensure you gain the relevant skills and knowledge to hit the ground running, through a balance of theory and practical learning.

It’s this approach that has seen ECU ranked in the top 2.5 per cent of universities in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2022.

Apply now for postgraduate study at ECU: ecuworldready.com.au/postgrad

Credit: ECU Newsroom

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