Background
I am an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), Senior Diabetes Dietitian at Barwon Health, and Director of Diet Yumm, a private practice focused on culturally inclusive care. With nearly two decades of clinical experience, I have specialised in complex diabetes management, particularly in pregnancy, chronic disease prevention, and bariatric nutrition.
I am currently completing my PhD at La Trobe University, where I am developing a culturally inclusive dietary assessment tool for South Asian migrants in Australia. My research addresses a critical gap in nutrition assessment by integrating cultural food practices, acculturation, and food environment into dietary tools, with the goal of improving public health data quality and clinical care.
Education & Work History:
- Pursuing PhD
- Master of Dietetics
- Bachelor of Food Science & Nutrition
- Senior Diabetes Dietitian, Barwon Health
- Director & Founder, Diet Yumm (Private Practice)
- Former Senior Bariatric Dietitian, Fortis Hospital, Delhi India
Research Focus
My current research focuses on validating a culturally tailored Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess the dietary intake of South Asian migrants living in Australia. My work addresses the limitations of existing tools by incorporating traditional foods, acculturation patterns, and dual food environments. The tool aims to enhance both clinical and population-level dietary data accuracy in a fast-growing, underrepresented community.
In parallel, I am also leading a scoping review to inform a consensus statement on the management of diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) following bariatric surgery. This work seeks to address the clinical and research gaps in caring for women with pre-existing diabetes or overt diabetes during pregnancy post-surgery—an area with rising clinical relevance and limited guidance.
Awards & Achievements
- Hume Business Awards – Finalist 2024
- Winner, Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN) Prize At the Dietitians Australia Conference 2022
- Beyond HDR – Shaping your post PhD life, Latrobe University. Topic: Rapid Fire Oral Presentation – We are What We Eat?
- 12th Ahuja Bajaj Symposium, New Delhi “Recent Concepts in Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition”. 3rd and 4th August 2024. Topic: Podium Presentation: Dietary Assessment Methods In South Asian Migrants: What do we know? (Recorded)
- 19th International Congress of Nutrition and Dietetics (ICND) 2024, Canada “Rise To The Challenge”. 12th-14th June 2024. Topic: Poster Presentation: Barriers to Chronic Disease Management Among South Asian: Systematic Review Poster Presentation: Systematic Review of Diet Assessment Methods for South Asian Migrants
- MSASG State-wide-PhD Conference, University of Melbourne, Melbourne. 8th May 2024. Topic: Podium Presentation: Barriers to Chronic Disease Management Among South Asian: Systematic Review Podium Presentation: Systematic Review of Diet Assessment Methods for South Asian Migrants.
- 2023 SAHHSS – HDR Future Conference, La Trobe University, Melbourne. 30th November 2023. Topic: Podium Presentation: A systematic review of dietary assessment methods used for South Asian migrants in high-income host countries.
- Dietitians Australia 2022 Conference, Adelaide. 14th -16th August 2022. Topic: Podium Presentation: Barriers and facilitators of chronic disease management among South Asian immigrants: A mixed-methods systematic review
- Dietitians Australia 2021 Conference, Melbourne. 11th -13th July 2021. Topic: Symposium Presentation: Metabolic Diseases Associated with South Asians Living In Australia (MASALA): Introduction to Diet and Lifestyle Management Co-presenters: Dr Anoop Misra, Dr Preeta Thomas, Dr Sabrina Gupta
About me...
| Pets:
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Black Lab named Ella |
| Footy team:
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Not a fan- please don’t kill me |
| Signature dish:
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Anything Vegetarian – I love to cook! |
| Coffee order:
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I am a tea person – Traditional Masala Chai (not out of a sachet) |
Feature Publications
A systematic review of dietary assessment methods used for South Asian migrants in high-income host countries – 10.1016/j.numecd.2024.103795
Barriers and facilitators of lifestyle management among adult South Asian migrants living with chronic diseases: A mixed-methods systematic review – 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.102944
Dietary management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among South Asian immigrants: A mixed-methods study –
How you can help
Participate in a Clinical Trial
To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.
Donate
Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.