Dr Vanessa Shrewsbury

Senior Research Officer, University of Newcastle

Research Programs

Food and Nutrition

Contact

Co-ordinated the first Consumer Engagement Forum for the HMRI Food & Nutrition Research Program in May 2024 which inspired new research ideas and connections with community

Co-lead the Health in Preconception Pregnancy and Post Partum Early Mid career Researcher Collective (HiPPP EMR-C) International which fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing between 300 researcher members

International clinical guidelines for the dietary management of childhood obesity are guided by Vanessa’s team’s literature reviews

Dr Vanessa Shrewbury is a dietitian and an early career researcher specialising in the epidemiology, prevention and management of child, adolescent and parental overweight and obesity, particularly the role of diet.

After completing a BHS(N&D) Hons, at the University of Newcastle (1997-2001), Vanessa began her research career at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (2002-2005) before travelling overseas to work at University College London in the Department of Epidemiology & Public Health (2005-2006).

After returning to Australia, Vanessa completed a PhD titled Management of overweight and obesity in adolescents and the role of parents (2007-2011, University of Sydney). Vanessa worked in several postdoctoral research roles including two quality award-winning programs – Students as LifeStyle Activists (SALSA) and Weight4KIDs.

Vanessa returned to the University of Newcastle in 2016, where she is continues her postdoctoral research in child and adolescent overweight and obesity, maternal nutrition and cooking skill development.

She is an investigator on the No Money No Time project sponsored by nib foundation. Vanessa is the current Chair of the Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Post-partum Early and Mid-career Researcher Collective (HIPPP EMR-C) and is an Associate Editor of BMC Nutrition Journal.

HMRI would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage and beliefs and their continued connection to their land.