Newcastle Nutrition Researcher Honoured

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 29 May 2008 - 1:00 PST

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A University of Newcastle nutrition researcher has been awarded the prestigious status of Fellow of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) for her outstanding service to the profession.

Associate Professor Clare Collins, an expert in the area of childhood nutrition, received the appointment at the DAA national conference at the Gold Coast on May 30.

DAA President Julie Hulcombe said: 'Clare Collins is one of Australia's leading academic dietitians, and is best known for her research in the areas of cystic fibrosis and childhood obesity.

The dietetics profession has benefited greatly from Clare's work.'
Associate Professor Collins started her career in nutrition research in 1992, after 10 years as a hospital dietitian, mostly in the Hunter region. She has published more than 30 scientific papers - many in prestigious international journals.

Her most recent research has focused on promoting optimal diet-related health outcomes across a range of health conditions, including overweight and obesity.

Ms Hulcombe said Associate Professor Collins had been instrumental in developing overweight and obesity practice guidelines for Australian dietitians, and had contributed to the DAAs obesity strategy.

'Clare is also well-regarded for her work with the media, and has been a DAA media spokesperson for almost 10 years. Clare has a talent for getting across complex scientific messages to the public in a clear and easy-to-understand way,' said Ms Hulcombe.

Ms Hulcombe said Associate Professor Collins had worked behind the scenes on Network Ten's The Biggest Loser program since the series began in Australia.

'I feel very proud to be acknowledged as a DAA Fellow based on my achievements to date. All I wanted to be from my teenage years on was a dietitian, so this award highlights the amazing opportunities and challenges that are possible if you go after them,' said Associate Professor Collins.

Clare was raised in Brisbane, completed her science degree at Griffith University and her Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Sydney, and holds a PhD from the University of Newcastle.

She currently lives with her husband and three children in Newcastle, where she is an Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle's School of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health.

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) is the professional body representing dietitians nationally. Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) is the only national credential recognised by the Australian Government, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private health funds as the quality standard for nutrition and dietetics services in Australia. For more information visit http://www.daa.asn.au

Background information

- The Dietitians Association of Australia 26th national conference will be held from May 29 - 31 at Conrad Jupiters at the Gold Coast. The conference is titled 'Improving nutrition - a social responsibility'. For more information, visit: http://www.daa.asn.au

- Karen Struthers MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Queensland) will open the conference on Thursday, May 29 at 9am.

Dietitians Association of Australia