Fruit and vegetables, as well as tea, cocoa and other plant-based foods and beverages, are dietary sources of flavonoids – bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and systematic inflammation. Higher intakes of flavonoids are favourably associated with pulmonary function parameters and less age-related decline in lung function. Furthermore, higher flavonoid intakes are associated with a lower risk of COPD in smokers. However, this area of the literature is extremely sparse.

Students will be mentored in nutrition epidemiology to assess how flavonoid intakes relate to respiratory health in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study cohort. There is 1 project available in this area.

This project is suitable for students with an interest in respiratory health and nutrition epidemiology. Ideally, students should have knowledge of biostatistics, biomedical science and/or clinical nutrition. However, highly motivated applicants are encouraged to apply.

Contact: Dr Benjamin H. Parmenter (b.parmenter@ecu.edu.au)

Fruit and vegetables, as well as tea, cocoa and other plant-based foods and beverages, are dietary sources of flavonoids – bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and systematic inflammation. Findings from several studies point to a potential role of flavonoids in regulating body composition, particularly in relation to weight loss and obesity.

Students will be mentored in nutrition epidemiology to assess how flavonoid intakes relate to measures of body composition in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study cohort. There is 1 project available in this area.

This project is suitable for students with an interest in anthropometry and nutrition epidemiology. Ideally, students should have knowledge of biostatistics, biomedical science and/or clinical nutrition. However, highly motivated applicants are encouraged to apply.

Contact:  Dr Benjamin H. Parmenter (b.parmenter@ecu.edu.au)

Fruit and vegetables, as well as tea, cocoa and other plant-based foods and beverages, are dietary sources of flavonoids – bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and systematic inflammation. There has been growing interest in the potential role of flavonoids in modulating the immune system and reducing the risk of allergic diseases. Several studies have suggested that flavonoids may have a protective effect against allergies, however, the evidence is not entirely consistent.

Students will be mentored in nutrition epidemiology to assess how flavonoid intakes relate to allergy occurrence in the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study cohort. There is 1 project available in this area.

This project is suitable for students with an interest in immunology/allergy and nutrition epidemiology. Ideally, students should have knowledge of biostatistics, biomedical science and/or clinical nutrition. However, highly motivated applicants are encouraged to apply.

Contact:  Dr Benjamin H. Parmenter (b.parmenter@ecu.edu.au)

This project involves a systematic review and meta-analysis to understand the prevalence of vascular calcification, by sex in the general and clinical populations. The study PICOS protocol (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study), a framework that formulates the eligibility criteria or protocol for the review and search strategy will already be established. Student will be mentored to perform any of the following:

• Search across multiple databases using established PICOS and search strategy
• Screening of abstracts, and full text articles following study PICOS
• Data extraction of included studies
• Synthesis of data
• Preparation of a manuscript

This project is suitable for students with an interest in Cardiovascular disease. Ideally knowledge on how to perform the elements described above for a systematic review is favourable, however highly motivated applications are encouraged to apply.

Contact:  Dr Cassandra Smith (cassandra.smith@ecu.edu.au)

Parents of young children in Western Australia are scheduled for regular checks with the child health nurse. There is a focus on metric centred care, like growth charts and milestones. This research project aims to investigate metrics used, how child health nurses perceive these when assessing a child, and how they manage a child who does not fit into the standard metrics but appears well from their parents’ perspective. Timing and continuity of care will also be investigated. Students will be supported to evaluate the literature in this field, collate information and analyse survey data. There is the opportunity for up to two projects in this area.

This project is ideal for students with an interest or experience in health care, parenting or early childhood development. Experience with survey data is desirable but not essential.

This project is part of a program of work with the International Network for Child and Family Centred Care and students will have an opportunity to work with international experts in the field of child health.

Contact: A/Prof Therese O’Sullivan (t.osullivan@ecu.edu.au or phone 6304 3529)

Child health nurse visits are an important source of information and support for parents. However, some parents report feeling anxious after seeing the child health nurse, particularly around issues related to infant feeding and growth charts. This research project aims to investigate parents experiences with child health nurses and explore their thoughts around how parents can be better supported. Students will assist in running a focus group and analysing data. There is the opportunity for up to two projects in this area.

This project is ideal for students who enjoy talking with people about their experiences and have an interest in parenting or early childhood.

This project is part of a program of work with the International Network for Child and Family Centred Care and students will have an opportunity to work with international experts in the field of child health.

Contact: A/Prof Therese O’Sullivan (t.osullivan@ecu.edu.au or phone 6304 3529)

Breastfeeding provides optimum nutrition for babies, but new mums can particularly struggle with breastfeeding. We are aiming to find out more about factors that can help successful breastfeeding. This project provides the opportunity for students to be involved with collecting data from mums and from hospital records. There is the opportunity for one project in this area.

This project is suitable for students who are comfortable with speaking with new mums around feeding.

This project is part of a program of work with ACE Infant Feeding Study.

Contact: A/Prof Therese O’Sullivan (t.osullivan@ecu.edu.au or phone 6304 3529)

Stress and mental Health have been very topical, especially in the last few years since COVID. There is growing awareness that being stressed for prolonged periods of time can lead to mental and physical health conditions such as depression, anxiety and cardiovascular disease. This timely research investigates the link between greater fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced stress levels, as a simple, healthy alternative.

Contact Dr Simone Radavelli-Bagatini (s.radavellibagatini@ecu.edu.au)