
Overview
Background
Olivia is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland and a Senior Research Fellow with the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences (CNAFS), The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI). Olivia has a strong track record in leading multidisciplinary research. Her main research streams include clinical trials examining the bioavailability of nutrients and the impact on clinical outcomes and/or gene expression; the uptake and maintenance of healthy and sustainable dietary patterns; innovative models of service delivery to prevent nutritional decline and improve quality of life for older people; service co-design, delivery, and evaluation across various areas of dietetics practice. Olivia also collaborates with industry partners to trial novel foods and ingredients.
Olivia is a highly supportive postgraduate advisor, mentoring 13 PhD students (5 to completion, 3 as primary; 8 continuing). She regularly supervises Master of Dietetics Studies coursework research students (around 22 projects 2009-2022) and supervised 2 honours students (2011).
Olivia is an Associate Editor for the international journal, Nutrition Journal, (BMC, Springer Nature). In 2010, she received Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian status, as recognition of her professional leadership and expertise and in 2011 won the Women in Technology "Rising Star" Award. She has received significant research funding, including support from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, Queensland Health and Horticulture Innovation Australia.
Availability
- Dr Olivia Wright is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Dietitians Association of Australia, Dietitians Association of Australia
Research interests
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Nutrition and ageing
Functional ingredients and foods for healthy ageing; sarcopenia; frailty
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Obesity and metabolism
Improving overall dietary patterns to promote health; factors affecting adherence; improving dietary guidelines
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Dietetics education
Curriculum design and programmatic assessment
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Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics
Personalised nutrition and the gut microbiome
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Mental health
Sharper Minds collaborative project with the School of Psychology and suite of programs for 1st year University students
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Indigenous foods
Community empowerment
Works
Search Professor Olivia Wright’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Conference Publication
Replacing diary milk with plant based dairy milk alternatives? How it will change your morning smoothie
Rathnayake, Anuruddhika Udayangani, Netzel, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Wright, Olivia and Smyth, Heather (2025). Replacing diary milk with plant based dairy milk alternatives? How it will change your morning smoothie. Crop to Kitchen, Queensland Health Coronial and Public Health Sciences, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia, 24 June 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Halophytes: a nutritious alternative to salt?
Netzel, Michael, Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh DaoThi, Wright, Olivia and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2025). Halophytes: a nutritious alternative to salt?. Crop to Kitchen, Queensland Health Coronial and Public Health Sciences, Coopers Plains, QLD, Australia, 24 June 2025.
2025
Journal Article
In-depth exploration of ‘therapeutic mealtime experiences’ in inpatient rehabilitation: mixed-methods multiple case studies
Pashley, Alice, Young, Adrienne, Doig, Emmah, Moore, Janette and Wright, Olivia (2025). In-depth exploration of ‘therapeutic mealtime experiences’ in inpatient rehabilitation: mixed-methods multiple case studies. Disability and Rehabilitation, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2512055
2025
Conference Publication
Alternative Smoothies – ‘Plants’ vs. ‘Dairy’
Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage, Anuruddhika, Netzel, Michael E., Smyth, Heather, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Wright, Olivia (2025). Alternative Smoothies – ‘Plants’ vs. ‘Dairy’. QAAFI 2025 Research Meeting, Herston, QLD Australia, 19 March 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Sharper minds: feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours
Dingle, Genevieve A., Han, Rong, Huang, Kevin, Alhadad, Sakinah S.J., Beckman, Emma, Bentley, Sarah V., Edmed, Shannon, Gomersall, Sjaan R., Hides, Leanne, Lorimer, Nadine, Maccallum, Fiona, McKimmie, Blake M., Ng, Norman, Rossa, Kalina, Smith, Simon S., Walter, Zoe C., Williams, Elyse, Wright, Olivia R.L. and Tanksale, Radhika (2025). Sharper minds: feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours. Journal of Affective Disorders, 378, 271-280. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.011
2025
Journal Article
Flexible, adaptable, and supportive systems: qualitative description of factors underpinning an ideal mealtime delivery in rehabilitation care settings
Pashley, Alice, Young, Adrienne, Doig, Emmah, Moore, Janette and Wright, Olivia RL (2025). Flexible, adaptable, and supportive systems: qualitative description of factors underpinning an ideal mealtime delivery in rehabilitation care settings. Disability and Rehabilitation, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2471573
2025
Conference Publication
Alternative Smoothies – the “Plants” vs. the “Dairy’s”
Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage, Anuruddhika, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather E. and Netzel, Michael E. (2025). Alternative Smoothies – the “Plants” vs. the “Dairy’s”. 19th NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Papaioea Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand, 19-21 February 2025.
2025
Journal Article
A hedonic sensory trial: exploring the relationship between sweet‐liker status, demographics, and health measures on acceptability in a beverage system
Cartwright, Jessica, Smyth, Heather E., Netzel, Michael E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina F. and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2025). A hedonic sensory trial: exploring the relationship between sweet‐liker status, demographics, and health measures on acceptability in a beverage system. Journal of Sensory Studies, 40 (1) e70008, 1-15. doi: 10.1111/joss.70008
2025
Journal Article
From silos to synergy: a scoping review of team approaches to outpatient eating disorder treatment
Bray, Megan, Heruc, Gabriella and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2025). From silos to synergy: a scoping review of team approaches to outpatient eating disorder treatment. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 58 (1), 139-161. doi: 10.1002/eat.24328
2024
Journal Article
Food, nutrition and dining information on residential aged care facility websites: a website analysis
Tan, Zavier Kok Shen, Pashley, Alice, Ball, Lauren, Wright, Olivia Renee Louise and Bartrim, Karly (2024). Food, nutrition and dining information on residential aged care facility websites: a website analysis. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 44 (1) e13388, e13388. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13388
2024
Journal Article
What factors affect the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospitals? A systematic literature review
Baumgartner, Laure, Wright, Olivia, Barne, Katelyn, Bartrim, Karly, Kirkegaard, Amy, Sullivan, Victoria, Burch, Emily and Ball, Lauren (2024). What factors affect the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals working in hospitals? A systematic literature review. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24287. doi: 10.1071/ah24287
2024
Conference Publication
Nutritional quality of two important Australian grown strawberry varieties
Rathnayake, Anuruddhika Udayangani, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather E. and Netzel, Michael E. (2024). Nutritional quality of two important Australian grown strawberry varieties. 9th Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium 2024 (QACS 2024), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 November 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Unlocking the nutritional potential of Australian indigenous edible halophytes
Netzel, Michael, Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Hong, Hung, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Phan, Anh, Netzel, Gabriele, Wright, Olivia and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2024). Unlocking the nutritional potential of Australian indigenous edible halophytes. Postharvest 2024, Fruit and Vegetable Health, Rotorua, New Zealand, 11-15 November 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Halophytes – “Salty Champions” for a Healthy Nutrition?
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh DaoThi, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael (2024). Halophytes – “Salty Champions” for a Healthy Nutrition?. 5th International Electronic Conference on Foods (MDPI): The Future of Technology, Sustainability, and Nutrition in the Food Domain, Virtual, 29 October 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Nutritional and bioactive properties of strawberries, plant-based “milks” and strawberry-smoothies
Rathnayake, Anuruddhika Udayangani, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2024). Nutritional and bioactive properties of strawberries, plant-based “milks” and strawberry-smoothies. NextGen Ag Symposium, St Lucia, QLD, Australia, 6 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Seeking sweetness: a systematic scoping review of factors influencing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in remote Indigenous communities worldwide
Cartwright, Jessica, Netzel, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Wright, Olivia (2024). Seeking sweetness: a systematic scoping review of factors influencing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in remote Indigenous communities worldwide. Dietitians Australia 2024 Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 18–20 August 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Halophytes – “Salt-Loving” and Healthy"
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh DaoThi, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael (2024). Halophytes – “Salt-Loving” and Healthy". AIFST24 Convention, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 6-7 August 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Nutritional and commercial potential of Australian Indigenous edible halophytes
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael (2024). Nutritional and commercial potential of Australian Indigenous edible halophytes. CQU Native Foods Workshop: Unveiling Commercial Opportunities, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 25 June 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Patient outcome quality indicators for older persons in acute care: original development data using interRAI AC-CGA
Martin-Khan, Melinda G., Gray, Leonard C., Brand, Caroline, Wright, Olivia, Pachana, Nancy A., Byrne, Gerard J., Chatfield, Mark D., Jones, Richard, Morris, John, Travers, Catherine, Tropea, Joanne, Xiong, Beibei, Research Collaborative for Quality Care: Acute Care Panel and Research Collaborative for Quality Care: Dementia Care Panel (2024). Patient outcome quality indicators for older persons in acute care: original development data using interRAI AC-CGA. BMC Geriatrics, 24 (1) 527, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-04980-9
2024
Journal Article
Data from four consecutive cohorts of students in Australia (2019-2022) show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international university students' mental health
Dingle, Genevieve A., Han, Rong, Alhadad, Sakinah S. J., Beckman, Emma, Bentley, Sarah V., Gomersall, Sjaan R., Hides, Leanne, Maccallum, Fiona, McKimmie, Blake M., Rossa, Kalina, Smith, Simon S., Walter, Zoe C., Williams, Elyse and Wright, Olivia (2024). Data from four consecutive cohorts of students in Australia (2019-2022) show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international university students' mental health. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 58 (6), 528-536. doi: 10.1177/00048674241233111
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Olivia Wright is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Opening the Discussion on Harnessing Traditional Knowledge and Plants for Indigenous Health: Development of a Bush Food-based Carbonated Beverage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Netzel, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
The practice and effectiveness of the Accredited Practising Dietitian in multidisciplinary outpatient treatment of eating disorders
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Examining Diet Quality for Australians with Major Depressive Disorder
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Breanna Lepre, Dr Aoife-Marie Foran, Professor Lauren Ball
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Doctor Philosophy
Dietary patterns and molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenicity of appendicitis in humans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Daniel Hwang, Professor Eugeni Roura
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring and understanding the nutritional quality and functional properties of wild harvested Australian grown elderberries (native elderberries)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Heather Smyth, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Michael Netzel
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Doctor Philosophy
Recruitment and Retention of Allied Health Professionals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lauren Ball
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Therapeutic Value of Mealtimes in Rehabilitation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Adrienne Young, Dr Emmah Doig
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES TOWARDS THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH ADHERENCE: A COLLABORATIVE STUDY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND SPAIN
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jacki Walker, Professor Eugeni Roura
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of Diet and Exercise on Prostate Cancer-Related Fatigue and Quality of Life
Principal Advisor
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Investigations into the bone health of men on the prostate cancer continuum: A focus on osteoporosis and health behaviours
Principal Advisor
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Are We Ready for the Future? An Exploration of Australian Dietitians' Competence, Preparedness, and Experiences Working in Aged Care
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lauren Ball
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Australian indigenous edible halophytes - potential sources of functional ingredients
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Michael Netzel
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
i-PATHWAY: a clinical prediction model to prevent childhood obesity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Robyn Littlewood, Dr Jacki Walker
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Australian Residential Aged Care Foodservices Menu design, quality and standards - a time for action
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sandra Capra
Media
Enquiries
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