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Dr Olivia Wright
Dr

Olivia Wright

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56116

Overview

Background

Olivia is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics and Director of Teaching and Learning at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland.​

Her work sits at the intersection of nutrition science, Indigenous food systems, the microbiome and interprofessional practice, with a focus on nutritional resilience, food sovereignty and personalised nutrition. She leads a coherent program of research examining how dietary patterns and food environments shape microbiome resilience and health outcomes, and how this knowledge can be translated into culturally safe practice, education and policy.​

This program integrates culinary nutrition, chronic disease prevention, Indigenous bush‑food and food sovereignty projects, and AI‑enabled analysis to improve the lived experience of patients, students and communities. Olivia has published widely in nutrition science and dietetics and works in partnership with First Nations communities, industry and government to advance understanding of how food systems can support health, equity and cultural continuity.​

As a recognised leader in teaching and learning innovation, Olivia plays a central role in shaping the next generation of dietitians and health professionals. She integrates AI, cultural safety, Indigenous methodologies and inclusive design into her teaching to strengthen student confidence, belonging and leadership, intentionally bridging education, research and community engagement so that evidence supports community‑led solutions and real‑world impact across health systems and society.

Availability

Dr Olivia Wright is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor, Queensland University of Technology
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Member, Dietitians Association of Australia, Dietitians Association of Australia

Research interests

  • Diet–microbiome resilience and personalised nutrition

    I study how dietary patterns shape microbiome resilience and individual variability in metabolic and inflammatory outcomes.

  • Culinary nutrition: translating evidence into practice

    I design and evaluate culinary strategies that turn guidelines into practical, tasty meals for diverse populations and clinical needs. Projects span high-protein enrichment, Mediterranean-style patterns, and cost-conscious meal planning, across the life course.

  • Culturally safe, sustainable food systems

    I co-design nutrition solutions that respect First Nations knowledge and promote equitable access to uniquely Australian foods. Research links cultural safety, environmental sustainability, and food sovereignty to everyday eating.

  • AI-enabled learning and assessment in dietetics education

    I develop and study secure, culturally safe AI tools for feedback, simulation, and assessment design in health programs. Research targets belonging, capability building, and reliable evaluation of clinical and counselling skills.

Works

Search Professor Olivia Wright’s works on UQ eSpace

160 works between 2003 and 2026

61 - 80 of 160 works

2022

Conference Publication

Seeking Sweetness: A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Remote Indigenous Communities Worldwide

Cartwright, Jessica, Netzel, Michael E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2022). Seeking Sweetness: A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Remote Indigenous Communities Worldwide. School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences Post-Graduate Conference, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia, 28 October 2022.

Seeking Sweetness: A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Remote Indigenous Communities Worldwide

2022

Conference Publication

Seeking Sweetness: A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Remote Indigenous Communities Worldwide

Cartwright, Jessica, Netzel, Michael E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2022). Seeking Sweetness: A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Remote Indigenous Communities Worldwide. Uniquely Australian Foods Annual Workshop, Long Pocket, QLD, Australia, 27 October 2022.

Seeking Sweetness: A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Remote Indigenous Communities Worldwide

2022

Journal Article

Nutritional knowledge of the Mediterranean diet is associated with positive attitudes and adherence in a non-Mediterranean multi-ethnic society

Aridi, Yasmine S., Walker, Jacqueline L., Roura, Eugeni and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2022). Nutritional knowledge of the Mediterranean diet is associated with positive attitudes and adherence in a non-Mediterranean multi-ethnic society. Dietetics, 1 (2), 124-136. doi: 10.3390/dietetics1020013

Nutritional knowledge of the Mediterranean diet is associated with positive attitudes and adherence in a non-Mediterranean multi-ethnic society

2022

Conference Publication

Australian Indigenous edible halophytes

Srivarathan, S., Phan, A. D. T., Wright, O., Sultanbawa, Y. and Netzel, M. E. (2022). Australian Indigenous edible halophytes. Visit and Workshop with Twin Lakes Cultural Park, Broome, WA Australia, 30 July 2022.

Australian Indigenous edible halophytes

2022

Journal Article

Foodservice systems and mealtime models in rehabilitation: scoping review

Pashley, Alice, Young, Adrienne and Wright, Olivia (2022). Foodservice systems and mealtime models in rehabilitation: scoping review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78 (11), 3559-3586. doi: 10.1111/jan.15379

Foodservice systems and mealtime models in rehabilitation: scoping review

2022

Journal Article

Screening, diagnosis and management of sarcopenia and frailty in hospitalized older adults: recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) expert working group

Daly, Robin M., Iuliano, S., Fyfe, J. J., Scott, D., Kirk, B., Thompson, M. Q., Dent, E., Fetterplace, K., Wright, O. R. L., Lynch, G. S., Zanker, J., Yu, S., Kurrle, S., Visvanathan, R. and Maier, A. B. (2022). Screening, diagnosis and management of sarcopenia and frailty in hospitalized older adults: recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) expert working group. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 26 (6), 637-651. doi: 10.1007/s12603-022-1801-0

Screening, diagnosis and management of sarcopenia and frailty in hospitalized older adults: recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR) expert working group

2022

Journal Article

“We’d be really motivated to do something about it”: a qualitative study of parent and clinician attitudes towards predicting childhood obesity in practice

Canfell, Oliver J., Littlewood, Robyn, Wright, Olivia R. L. and Walker, Jacqueline L. (2022). “We’d be really motivated to do something about it”: a qualitative study of parent and clinician attitudes towards predicting childhood obesity in practice. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 34 (2), 398-409. doi: 10.1002/hpja.611

“We’d be really motivated to do something about it”: a qualitative study of parent and clinician attitudes towards predicting childhood obesity in practice

2022

Journal Article

Mediterranean Style Dietary Pattern with High Intensity Interval Training in Men with Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial

Baguley, Brenton J., Adlard, Kirsten, Jenkins, David, Wright, Olivia R. L. and Skinner, Tina L. (2022). Mediterranean Style Dietary Pattern with High Intensity Interval Training in Men with Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (9) 5709, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095709

Mediterranean Style Dietary Pattern with High Intensity Interval Training in Men with Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial

2022

Journal Article

Food and nutrition security: underutilized plant and animal-based foods

Wright, Olivia R. L., Sivakumar, Dharini, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2022). Food and nutrition security: underutilized plant and animal-based foods. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8 821388, 821388. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.821388

Food and nutrition security: underutilized plant and animal-based foods

2022

Book

Food and nutrition security: underutilized plant and animal-based foods

Yasmina Sultanbawa, Michael Erich Netzel , Dharini Sivakumar and Olivia Renee Louise Wright eds. (2022). Food and nutrition security: underutilized plant and animal-based foods. Frontiers Research Topics, Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers Research Foundation. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88974-532-6

Food and nutrition security: underutilized plant and animal-based foods

2021

Other Outputs

Sharper Minds 2021 Pilot Report

Dingle, G.A., Hodges, J., Hides, L., McKimmie, B., Gomersall, S., Beckman, E., Birch, S., Smith, S., Zurynski, Y., Maccallum, F., Bentley, S., Wright, O., Walter, Z. and Alhadad, S. (2021). Sharper Minds 2021 Pilot Report.

Sharper Minds 2021 Pilot Report

2021

Journal Article

How do music activities affect health and well-being? A scoping review of studies examining psychosocial mechanisms

Dingle, Genevieve A., Sharman, Leah S., Bauer, Zoe, Beckman, Emma, Broughton, Mary, Bunzli, Emma, Davidson, Robert, Draper, Grace, Fairley, Sheranne, Farrell, Callyn, Flynn, Libby Maree, Gomersall, Sjaan, Hong, Mengxun, Larwood, Joel, Lee, Chiying, Lee, Jennifer, Nitschinsk, Lewis, Peluso, Natalie, Reedman, Sarah Elizabeth, Vidas, Dianna, Walter, Zoe C. and Wright, Olivia Renee Louise (2021). How do music activities affect health and well-being? A scoping review of studies examining psychosocial mechanisms. Frontiers in Psychology, 12 713818, 713818. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.713818

How do music activities affect health and well-being? A scoping review of studies examining psychosocial mechanisms

2021

Conference Publication

Novel sources of functional ingredients: the potential of Australian Indigenous Edible Halophytes

Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2021). Novel sources of functional ingredients: the potential of Australian Indigenous Edible Halophytes. Joint virtual Workshop between The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods (ARC ITTC UAF), Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia and The SARChI Research Programme in Phytochemical Food Network to Improve the Nutritional Quality for Consumers, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa, Virtual, 24-25 August 2021.

Novel sources of functional ingredients: the potential of Australian Indigenous Edible Halophytes

2021

Journal Article

The measurement of antioxidant capacity and colour attributes in wild harvest samphire (Tecticornia sp.) samples using mid-infrared spectroscopy

Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Netzel, Michael E. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). The measurement of antioxidant capacity and colour attributes in wild harvest samphire (Tecticornia sp.) samples using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Food Analytical Methods, 14 (11), 2328-2334. doi: 10.1007/s12161-021-02065-6

The measurement of antioxidant capacity and colour attributes in wild harvest samphire (Tecticornia sp.) samples using mid-infrared spectroscopy

2021

Journal Article

i‐PATHWAY : Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort

Canfell, Oliver J., Littlewood, Robyn, Wright, Olivia R. L. and Walker, Jacqueline L. (2021). i‐PATHWAY : Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 57 (8), 1250-1258. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15436

i‐PATHWAY : Development and validation of a prediction model for childhood obesity in an Australian prospective birth cohort

2021

Conference Publication

Australian indigenous edible halophytes as potential salt substitutes

Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Mantilla , Sandra, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Phan, Anh, Wright, Olivia and Netzel, Michael E (2021). Australian indigenous edible halophytes as potential salt substitutes. 15th NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium (A Virtual Conference), virtual, 9-11 February 2021.

Australian indigenous edible halophytes as potential salt substitutes

2021

Journal Article

Tecticornia sp. (Samphire)—A Promising Underutilized Australian Indigenous Edible Halophyte

Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Hong, Hung Trieu, Chua, Elvis T., Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2021). Tecticornia sp. (Samphire)—A Promising Underutilized Australian Indigenous Edible Halophyte. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8 607799, 607799. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.607799

Tecticornia sp. (Samphire)—A Promising Underutilized Australian Indigenous Edible Halophyte

2021

Journal Article

Mediterranean-style dietary pattern improves cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy: a pilot randomised control trial

Baguley, Brenton J., Skinner, Tina L., Jenkins, David G. and Wright, Olivia R. L. (2021). Mediterranean-style dietary pattern improves cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy: a pilot randomised control trial. Clinical Nutrition, 40 (1), 245-254. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.05.016

Mediterranean-style dietary pattern improves cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy: a pilot randomised control trial

2020

Journal Article

Anthocyanins: “berry” much more than common plant pigments

Wright, Olivia R. L., Phan, Anh D. T., Hong, Hung T., Netzel, Gabriele, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2020). Anthocyanins: “berry” much more than common plant pigments. Australian Berry Journal, Summer (5), 22-23.

Anthocyanins: “berry” much more than common plant pigments

2020

Conference Publication

Australian grown Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) – an underestimated fruit?

Netzel, Michael E., Phan, Anh D. T., Cozzolino, Daniel, Wright, Olivia and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Australian grown Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) – an underestimated fruit?. Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium (QACS), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27 November 2020. Melbourne, VIC Australia: RACI.

Australian grown Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) – an underestimated fruit?

Funding

Current funding

  • 2026
    Can Artificial Intelligence support hospital foodservices to prevent food waste?
    UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Strategic Initiatives
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Conservative Management of bowel disorders in a Colorectal Pelvic Floor clinic: A Randomised Crossover Trial of Dietary management and/or Physiotherapy
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Creating game changing graduates in nutrition and dietetics through active learning, authentic assessment and student partnerships, using Entrustable Professional Activities
    UQ Teaching Innovation Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Naturally Nutritious
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    TrueNTH Australian Demonstration (TrueNTH AU)
    Movember Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Lactoferrin Trial - Additional sample analysis
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Development of a broader understanding of Vitamin D levels in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy to inform guidelines for post-surgery supplementation
    Wesley Merdical Research
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Cellular metabolic respirometry and enzymatic assessment suite
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    The Shifting Gears Project: Active Living and Healthy Eating in Queensland Truck Drivers
    Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    The impact of micronutrients on gene expression: Prostate Cancer-Lycopene (ImoGEX-PC-Lyc)TM.
    Clinical Oncological Society of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Clinical and Nutritional Biomarker Platform
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of the effect of functional beverages on body weight, blood pressure and body fat in overweight and obese adults (The QUENCH Study)
    Dr Red Nutraceuticals Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2010
    The Effect of Functional Green Tea and Coffee on Body Weight, Blood Pressure and Body Fat in Overwieght and Obese Adults
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Shedding more light on Vitamin D, obesity and insulin resistance
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Development of Quality Indicators for the frail elderly in acute care
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Food services in residential aged care: Financial, personnel, and service delivery factors
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007
    Evaluation of the impact of an online structured geriatric assessment system
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Olivia Wright is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Olivia Wright's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au