Lisa Wood

Biography

Professor Wood leads the Nutrition programme within the Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, University of Newcastle. Prof Wood is a nutritional biochemist, who has been working in the area of nutrition and inflammation for over 15 years. Dr Wood completed her PhD in 2001, in Nutrition & Dietetics, at the University of Newcastle. Her PhD studied the relationship between antioxidants and oxidative stress in respiratory disease, in particular cystic fibrosis (CF). From 2002-2006, she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship (NHMRC Australian Training Research Fellowship), in the Respiratory Research Group, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle. Throughout this fellowship, she continued her research on dietary factors influencing respiratory diseases, in particular asthma. In 2007, she was awarded a Brawn postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Newcastle and during this time, she has extended her work to investigate the roles of dietary fat and obesity as promoters of airway inflammation. In 2010, Dr Wood took up an academic position in the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, in which she combines both research and teaching responsibilities. Prof Wood has established and leads a research team, including 7 PhD students, 2 Honours students and 2 postdoctoral researchers. Dr Wood's team is investigating mechanisms by which dietary factors, including antioxidants, fatty acids, soluble fibre and obesity, affect blood lipid profiles, systemic and airway inflammation, as well as physiological outcomes such as lung function and arterial compliance. She has a strong publication record, with >100 manuscripts published in international peer reviewed journals, including the highest impact specialty journals, eg J Allergy and Clin Immunol (IF 11), Am J Resp Crit Care Med (IF 11) and Am J Clin Nutr (IF 6). She has also produced >180 conference abstracts, 6 book chapters, 2 patents and 1 government report. In 2013, she co-edited a book on Nutrition and Physical Activity in Inflammatory Diseases. Demonstration of Prof Wood's contribution in this area is the recently published Asthma Management Handbook and National Asthma Council brochure series for health professionals and consumers, which included data from several of her recent publications. The excellence of Prof Wood’s research has been recognized by various prizes and awards, including 2012 University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor’s Faculty award for Research Excellence, 2011 Hunter Children’s Research Foundation Research Mentor of the Year, 2011 Nutrition Society of Australia Research Award, 2011 Nutrition Society of Australia Mid-career Travel fellowship for excellence in nutrition research, 2010 Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and National Asthma Council Prize, 2009 HMRI Early Career Researcher award, 2008 NSW Young Tall Poppy award, 2008 University of Newcastle Faculty of Health Research Award, 2007 NSW Office for Science & Medical Research Postdoctoral award for Excellence in Medical Research. Prof Wood serves as President Elect of the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA), having held numerous positions in the Society including Honorary Secretary, National Conference Programme Committee Chair, Editorial Board member and National Council member. Dr Wood is a member of the Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand and has served the Society as Convenor for the Asthma and Allergy Special interest group.

Research Interest

Nutrition and Dietetics , Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology