A prospective observational study using indirect calorimetry to measure resting energy expenditure (REE) of patients with complex disability – cerebral palsy

Established Supervisor: A/Professor Adrienne Forsyth <Adrienne.Forsyth@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Adam Walsh
In collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

Project Description

No accurate predictive equations exist to determine the energy requirements of people living with cerebral palsy. Consequently, estimated requirements are used to calculate enteral nutrition regimens for gastrostomy feeding tubes. This study aims to establish the utility of indirect calorimetry to measure resting energy expenditure of patients with cerebral palsy. Resting energy expenditure will be prospectively measured using indirect calorimetry with a metabolic monitor and ventilated hood system in young adults with cerebral palsy and compared to estimated requirements. Patient feedback regarding acceptability of this method will also be obtained to help inform future methods for determining energy requirements. 

Description of the research internship opportunity

Students engaged in this project will have the opportunity to develop research skills and experience through participation in ongoing related research activities at ACU and St Vincent’s Hospital. These include, but are not limited to, analysing food record data of completed studies, contributing to systematic reviews exploring related topics, collecting and analysing data for ongoing quality assessment studies, and contributing to the development and validation of new patient-reported experience measures. Further, there will be opportunity to collaborate with discipline staff on other ongoing projects which may afford the opportunity to gain experience across diverse methods and/or areas of expertise.

A retrospective review of patient and health service outcomes of parenteral nutrition administration

Established Supervisor: A/Professor Adrienne Forsyth <Adrienne.Forsyth@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Adam Walsh
In collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

Project Description

Parenteral nutrition is used to provide an individual’s dietary requirements intravenously. The decision to provide total or partial parenteral nutrition may influence a range of patient outcomes and impact health services. This project will include a retrospective review of the St Vincent’s Parenteral Nutrition registry to explore utilisation, complications, length of stay, and readmission outcomes, as well as patient malnutrition outcomes across different surgical groups. Extended project opportunities include a prospective audit and an assessment of consumer perspectives. 

Description of the research internship opportunity

Students engaged in this project will have the opportunity to develop research skills and experience through participation in ongoing related research activities at ACU and St Vincent’s Hospital. These include, but are not limited to, analysing food record data of completed studies, contributing to systematic reviews exploring related topics, collecting and analysing data for ongoing quality assessment studies, and contributing to the development and validation of new patient-reported experience measures. Further, there will be opportunity to collaborate with discipline staff on other ongoing projects which may afford the opportunity to gain experience across diverse methods and/or areas of expertise.

Dietary patterns of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer

Established Supervisor: A/Professor Adrienne Forsyth <Adrienne.Forsyth@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Adam Walsh
In collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

Project Description

Increasing numbers of Australians under 50 years of age are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. While the reasons for this shift are unclear, it appears that diet may play a role. Dietary intake remains of central importance during treatment, with energy and nutrient intake essential for supporting treatment outcomes, managing side effects, and promoting recovery. This exploratory study with younger patients receiving cancer treatment will advance our understanding of the dietary patterns of early-onset colorectal cancer patients as well as their perceptions of and preferences for dietetic care. The findings will be used to adapt dietitian care for this population.

Description of the research internship opportunity

Students engaged in this project will have the opportunity to develop research skills and experience through participation in ongoing related research activities at ACU and St Vincent’s Hospital. These include, but are not limited to, analysing food record data of completed studies, contributing to systematic reviews exploring related topics, collecting and analysing data for ongoing quality assessment studies, and contributing to the development and validation of new patient-reported experience measures. Further, there will be opportunity to collaborate with discipline staff on other ongoing projects which may afford the opportunity to gain experience across diverse methods and/or areas of expertise.

Assessing the accuracy and quality of sports nutrition-related information shared on social media

Established Supervisor: A/Professor Adrienne Forsyth <Adrienne.Forsyth@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Sara Forbes
Third Supervisor: Louise Burke

Project Description

Online sources may provide nutrition information for athletes that is inaccurate or of poor quality. This project aims to evaluate the accuracy and quality of sports nutrition-related information shared on social media, focusing on processed/unprocessed foods/everyday foods or food alternatives for supplements and/or sports foods. Social media platforms selected for analysis will be informed by an endurance athlete and sports food questionnaire identifying preferred information sources. Findings will help inform the co-design of an educational tool that supports athletes in making food choices that are beneficial to their health, performance, and planetary health. 

Description of the research internship opportunity

Students engaged in this project will have the opportunity to develop research skills and experience through participation in ongoing related research activities in at ACU. These include, but are not limited to, analysing food record data of completed studies, contributing to systematic reviews exploring related topics, collecting and analysing data for ongoing quality assessment studies, and contributing to the development and validation of new patient-reported experience measures. Further, there will be opportunity to collaborate with discipline staff on other ongoing projects which may afford the opportunity to gain experience across diverse methods and/or areas of expertise.

Implementation of Evidence-Based Perioperative Nutrition Care in Regional Health Services

Established Supervisor: A/Professor Adrienne Forsyth <Adrienne.Forsyth@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Adam Walsh 

Project Description

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs are supported by strong global consensus as the standard for evidence-based perioperative care. Evidence consistently demonstrates reductions in postoperative complications, length of stay, and healthcare resource utilisation. However, the benefits of ERAS depend not only on the availability of evidence-based recommendations, but on the successful integration of these principles into complex real-world healthcare environments. There is increasing recognition of the importance of applying Emergency ERAS (E-ERAS) principles to emergency surgical care in healthcare, which is particularly relevant in regional healthcare settings. This project will aim evaluate and review the implementation of Emergency ERAS (E-ERAS) in a Victorian regional healthcare setting by assessing current practice against established recommendations, identifying evidence–practice gaps, and informing practical strategies to improve guideline implementation.

Virtual Interprofessional Culinary Nutrition Intervention: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Established Supervisor: Sharon Croxford <Sharon.Croxford@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Emma Stirling

Project Description

Virtual teaching kitchens provide opportunities to deliver culinary nutrition (CN) interventions that enhance food, nutrition and culinary skills through targeted, interactive online education and practical cooking experiences. Evidence suggests that CN interventions can support behaviour change and contribute to chronic disease prevention and management. Delivered by interprofessional teams, virtual teaching kitchens can increase the reach and accessibility of CN interventions through partnerships with healthcare, industry and community organisations. The aim of this research project is to build on ACU's track record in CN by conducting a proof-of-concept virtual culinary nutrition intervention in Australia.

Description of the research internship opportunity

Within the Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics and MMIHR, we are conducting multiple human research projects through qualitative and quantitative studies involving international collaborators in CN. Through the honours project, the student will be exposed to the research team and may obtain experience in our various projects from ethics application and participant recruitment through to data collection and final analysis. The internship opportunity would allow the student to build upon and broaden their research experience throughout their honours year.

Validity and Reliability of Point of Care Testing to Detect Low Ferritin Stores in Athletes 

Established Supervisor: Dr Alannah McKay <Alannah.McKay@acu.edu.au>
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Carissa Gardiner

Project Description

Iron deficiency is a highly prevalent condition, affecting ~15-35% of female and 3-10% of male athletes. Regular screening for iron deficiency can help detect low ferritin stores early and allow for timely intervention; however, venous blood sampling can be time consuming, inconvenient, and uncomfortable for an athlete. Commercial ferritin testing kits have become available on the market, which use a finger prick blood sample and lateral flow technology. These kits offer a potential rapid screening tool, but their accuracy and reliability compared with laboratory analysis are unknown. The aim of this project is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a point of care device for detecting low ferritin compared with venous laboratory ferritin concentrations. Establishing their diagnostic accuracy and reliability will clarify whether these devices are suitable for rapid, field based assessment of athletes at risk of low iron stores. If validated, these kits could enable more frequent and timely monitoring, particularly for athletes with a history of iron deficiency, those entering periods of intensified training, or those with suspected Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). This project will be undertaken in conjunction with an industry partner, the Victorian Institute of Sport. 

Description of the research internship opportunity

In addition to completing their Honours thesis, the student will have the opportunity to contribute to a clinical trial investigating the effects of manipulating the dose and frequency of oral iron supplementation on serum ferritin concentrations in iron-deficient women. The successful student will develop practical skills in venous blood processing, clinical trial coordination, and REDCap database management. 

If successful, the student will also have the opportunity to be embedded within the Victorian Institute of Sport's Nutrition Department, where they will participate in team meetings and shadow dietetic consultations. This experience will help ensure that their research remains closely aligned with the needs and priorities of this industry partner.

Effectiveness of Implementation of an Ortho-geriatric Clinical Pathway for Fractured Neck of Femur Admissions 

Established Supervisor: A/Professor Adrienne Forsyth <Adrienne.Forsyth@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisor: Dr Lachlan Mitchell 
Third Supervisor: Dr Adam Walsh

Project Description

Elderly patients with fractured neck of femur are often malnourished on admission. Malnutrition can lead to delayed recovery, an increased length of stay, and increased risk of postoperative complications. Blanket referral to dietetic services and implementation of strategies to prevent or manage malnutrition enables access to dietetic services without the need for screening of this high-risk group. This project will assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the ortho-geriatric clinical pathway with a retrospective audit of dietetic interventions and nutrition outcomes.

Description of the research internship opportunity

Students engaged in this project will have the opportunity to develop research skills and experience through participation in ongoing related research activities at ACU and St Vincent’s Hospital. These include, but are not limited to, analysing food record data of completed studies, contributing to systematic reviews exploring related topics, collecting and analysing data for ongoing quality assessment studies, and contributing to the development and validation of new patient-reported experience measures. Further, there will be opportunity to collaborate with discipline staff on other ongoing projects which may afford the opportunity to gain experience across diverse methods and/or areas of expertise.

Vegetable Content and Nutrition Claims in Single-Serve Chilled and Frozen Meals: A Retail Audit

Established Supervisor: Dr Emma Beckett <Emma.beckett@acu.edu.au> 
Emerging Supervisors: Rachel Svenson & Karen Kingham

Project Description

Convenience meals, including single-serve chilled and frozen products, are increasingly relied upon by consumers due to time constraints and accessibility. These products often include claims relating to vegetable content, such as “serves of vegetables,” “plant-based,” or “packed with veggies,” which may influence purchasing decisions and perceptions of healthfulness. However, there is limited independent assessment of the actual vegetable content of these products and the accuracy or consistency of related on-pack claims.

This project aims to conduct a retail audit of single-serve chilled and frozen meals available in major Australian supermarkets, examining the quantity and type of vegetables present alongside the nature of any vegetable-related claims. The study will utilise ingredient lists, nutrition information panels, and front-of-pack labelling to assess alignment between claims and product composition. Findings will contribute to understanding how vegetable content is communicated in the retail environment and may inform future labelling guidance, consumer education, and research in food regulation and public health nutrition.

Description of the research internship opportunity

The student will have the opportunity to develop skills in food composition analysis, food labelling interpretation, and retail food environment research. Activities will include designing and implementing a supermarket audit protocol, data collection and management, and quantitative analysis of product attributes and claims. There will also be opportunities to contribute to knowledge translation activities, such as preparing reports or summaries for stakeholders and supporting manuscript development for publication. The student will be embedded within the Nutrition & Food Science research team, with opportunities to engage in related projects exploring the food supply and consumer nutrition.