Brings real-world relevance to learning.
Creates a safe space for learning and growth.
Always fair, kind, and deeply insightful.
Always positive and motivating in class.
Great Professor!
Professor Lesley MacDonald-Wicks is an Advanced Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Professor in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle, serving as Deputy Head of School (Education) and Head of Discipline, Nutrition and Dietetics. She earned her PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle in 2003, investigating dietary fat intake and its impact on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress, and a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) with Honours in 1998 from the same university. Her research specializations include dietary lipids, antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, and the role of nutrition in chronic disease management and prevention, particularly stroke, mental illness, gestational diabetes, and asthma. She explores the Mediterranean diet's efficacy in treating chronic conditions and develops knowledge translation frameworks to apply dietary evidence practically. Additionally, her interests encompass diet and mental health, healthy conversation skills, and maternal and child nutrition.
Appointed Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle in 2002, Professor MacDonald-Wicks has advanced through various leadership roles, including Assistant Dean, Research Training, Faculty of Health and Medicine (2019–present), School of Health Sciences Honours Program Convenor (2015), and Program Convenor, Nutrition and Dietetics (2011–2013). She has supervised 14 higher degree by research completions and currently oversees PhD projects on stroke nutrition programs, prediabetes management, and gestational diabetes. With over 75 peer-reviewed publications, notable works include "i-REBOUND Cook Well After Stroke: Co-Designing a Culinary Nutrition Programme for Australian Stroke Survivors" (Chun et al., 2025, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics), "Fuelling Recovery: Is There a Role for Radiation Therapists in Optimising Nutrition for Women With Breast Cancer?" (Feighan et al., 2025, Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences), and "Feasibility and outcomes of device and self-reported physical activity measurement after stroke in the ENAbLE randomised pilot trial" (Ramage et al., 2026, Cerebrovascular Diseases). She has attracted $3,771,473 in funding across 25 grants, leading initiatives like the Graduate Certificate in Nutrition for Papua New Guinea health professionals. Her collaborations span international nutrition experts, contributing to advancements in clinical nutrition and public health interventions.
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