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Meyer, Barbara Professor

Professor, School of Medicine

  • Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute
  • Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
  • School of Medicine
  • Director - Lipid Research Centre

Top Publications

Research Overview

  • History

    Barbara (BSc Hons, PhD) was educated at Monash University in Melbourne Victoria, graduating with her PhD in 1993 and has since worked at the University of Wollongong.

    Research Focus

    The primary focus of Barbara’s research is in the area of lipids and fatty acid metabolism, most notably the health benefits of omega-3 fats - some examples of research impact.

    Omega-3s and recommended intakes

    Barbara’s highest cited 2003 publication with 299 citations (1) was the catalyst for informing the Australian Government’s National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Nutrient Reference Values for dietary intakes of omega-3 fats. Australians are still not consuming the amount of omega-3 fats for optimal health (2). Barbara has recently been selected to be part of the Australian delegation to 39th Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses to be held in Berlin, Germany from 4-8 December 2017 to try and reach a global consensus on recommended intakes for omega-3 fat.

    Omega-3 and pregnancy

    Barbara through her collaboration with long term colleague, Dr Dilys Freeman from the University of Glasgow, has shown:

    i)                That there is reduced transfer of omega-3 fats to the fetus in women suffering from pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction (3);

    ii)              That the omega-3 fats get stuck in the placenta (4) and that may help explain why omega-3 supplementation does not ameliorate pre-eclampsia;

    iii)            Omega-3 fats are extremely important for the formation of the neural tube (the backbone) (5).

    Both Universities have recognised this work as both are Honorary Fellows from the respective Universities. Also, recipients of the Vice Chancellor’s Visiting International Scholar Award (VISA) in 2016.

    Omega-3 and mental health

    Together with colleagues from UOW and Universities of South Australia, NSW, Newcastle, NHMRC Partnership Grant (APP1113396), Does Omega-3 Supplementation Attenuate Aggressive Behaviour: A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial of a Broadly Disseminable Strategy 2016-2020. $1,809,278 ($964,000 partners; $845,278 NHMRC).

    It is anticipated that this research will have huge impact in terms of reduced aggressive behaviour through omega-3 supplementation. As this is a partnership grant, the results will inform policy and practice.

    Awards

    Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) Medal Award in 2016.

    “The NSA Medal may be awarded to members who are Australian nutrition scientists with an outstanding track record in the field of animal or human nutrition, with the work carried out predominantly in Australia (permanent residents are eligible to apply) and who is currently highly active in his/her field of endeavour.

    No more than one NSA Medal shall be awarded in any one year.”

    Research Communication

    Currently 86 peer-reviewed scientific journal publications and 120 national and international conference abstracts. Barbara has been invited to 11 International and 19 National conferences since 2009.

    References

    1. Meyer BJ, Mann NJ, Lewis JL, Milligan GC, Sinclair AJ, Howe PRC. Dietary intakes and food sources of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Lipids 2003:38;391-398.
    2. Meyer BJ. Australians are not Meeting the Recommended Intakes for Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Results of an Analysis from the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Nutrients 2016;8(3), 111 doi 10.3390/nu8030111
    3. Mackay VA, Huda SS, Stewart FM, Tham K, McKenna LA, Martin I, Jordan F, Brown EA, Hodson L, Greer IA, Meyer BJ, Freeman DJ. Preeclampsia is associated with compromised maternal synthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids leading to offspring deficiency.  Hypertension 2012;60:1078-1085. DOI:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.197897
    4. Brown SHJ, Eather SR, Freeman DJ, Meyer BJ, Mitchell TW. A lipidomic analysis of placenta in preeclampsia: Evidence for lipid storage. PLoS One 2016; 11(9): e0163972. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0163972
    5. Meyer BJ, Onyiaodike CC, Brown EA, Jordan F, Murray H, Nibbs RJB, Sattar N, Lyall H, Nelson SM, Freeman DJ. Maternal plasma DHA levels increase prior to 29 days post-LH surge in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer: a prospective, observational study of human pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2016;101:1745-1753 doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-3

Selected Publications

Impact Story

Advisees

  • Graduate Advising Relationship

    Degree Research Title Advisee
    Doctor of Philosophy The Development of a Community Program to Improve Postpartum Mums' Health and Healthy Behaviours Christie, Hannah
    Doctor of Philosophy A Low-Carbohydrate, Whole-Foods Approach to Managing Diabetes Oetsch, Kate

Keywords

  • Lipids; Omega-3 fats; Gas Chromatography; Pregnancy: Aggressive Behaviour

Full Name

  • Barbara J. Meyer

Mailing Address

  • School of Medicine, building 41

    University of Wollongong

    Wollongong

    NSW

    2522

    Australia

Top Publications

Research Overview

  • History

    Barbara (BSc Hons, PhD) was educated at Monash University in Melbourne Victoria, graduating with her PhD in 1993 and has since worked at the University of Wollongong.

    Research Focus

    The primary focus of Barbara’s research is in the area of lipids and fatty acid metabolism, most notably the health benefits of omega-3 fats - some examples of research impact.

    Omega-3s and recommended intakes

    Barbara’s highest cited 2003 publication with 299 citations (1) was the catalyst for informing the Australian Government’s National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Nutrient Reference Values for dietary intakes of omega-3 fats. Australians are still not consuming the amount of omega-3 fats for optimal health (2). Barbara has recently been selected to be part of the Australian delegation to 39th Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses to be held in Berlin, Germany from 4-8 December 2017 to try and reach a global consensus on recommended intakes for omega-3 fat.

    Omega-3 and pregnancy

    Barbara through her collaboration with long term colleague, Dr Dilys Freeman from the University of Glasgow, has shown:

    i)                That there is reduced transfer of omega-3 fats to the fetus in women suffering from pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction (3);

    ii)              That the omega-3 fats get stuck in the placenta (4) and that may help explain why omega-3 supplementation does not ameliorate pre-eclampsia;

    iii)            Omega-3 fats are extremely important for the formation of the neural tube (the backbone) (5).

    Both Universities have recognised this work as both are Honorary Fellows from the respective Universities. Also, recipients of the Vice Chancellor’s Visiting International Scholar Award (VISA) in 2016.

    Omega-3 and mental health

    Together with colleagues from UOW and Universities of South Australia, NSW, Newcastle, NHMRC Partnership Grant (APP1113396), Does Omega-3 Supplementation Attenuate Aggressive Behaviour: A Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial of a Broadly Disseminable Strategy 2016-2020. $1,809,278 ($964,000 partners; $845,278 NHMRC).

    It is anticipated that this research will have huge impact in terms of reduced aggressive behaviour through omega-3 supplementation. As this is a partnership grant, the results will inform policy and practice.

    Awards

    Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) Medal Award in 2016.

    “The NSA Medal may be awarded to members who are Australian nutrition scientists with an outstanding track record in the field of animal or human nutrition, with the work carried out predominantly in Australia (permanent residents are eligible to apply) and who is currently highly active in his/her field of endeavour.

    No more than one NSA Medal shall be awarded in any one year.”

    Research Communication

    Currently 86 peer-reviewed scientific journal publications and 120 national and international conference abstracts. Barbara has been invited to 11 International and 19 National conferences since 2009.

    References

    1. Meyer BJ, Mann NJ, Lewis JL, Milligan GC, Sinclair AJ, Howe PRC. Dietary intakes and food sources of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.  Lipids 2003:38;391-398.
    2. Meyer BJ. Australians are not Meeting the Recommended Intakes for Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Results of an Analysis from the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Nutrients 2016;8(3), 111 doi 10.3390/nu8030111
    3. Mackay VA, Huda SS, Stewart FM, Tham K, McKenna LA, Martin I, Jordan F, Brown EA, Hodson L, Greer IA, Meyer BJ, Freeman DJ. Preeclampsia is associated with compromised maternal synthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids leading to offspring deficiency.  Hypertension 2012;60:1078-1085. DOI:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.197897
    4. Brown SHJ, Eather SR, Freeman DJ, Meyer BJ, Mitchell TW. A lipidomic analysis of placenta in preeclampsia: Evidence for lipid storage. PLoS One 2016; 11(9): e0163972. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0163972
    5. Meyer BJ, Onyiaodike CC, Brown EA, Jordan F, Murray H, Nibbs RJB, Sattar N, Lyall H, Nelson SM, Freeman DJ. Maternal plasma DHA levels increase prior to 29 days post-LH surge in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer: a prospective, observational study of human pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2016;101:1745-1753 doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-3

Selected Publications

Impact Story

Advisees

  • Graduate Advising Relationship

    Degree Research Title Advisee
    Doctor of Philosophy The Development of a Community Program to Improve Postpartum Mums' Health and Healthy Behaviours Christie, Hannah
    Doctor of Philosophy A Low-Carbohydrate, Whole-Foods Approach to Managing Diabetes Oetsch, Kate

Keywords

  • Lipids; Omega-3 fats; Gas Chromatography; Pregnancy: Aggressive Behaviour

Full Name

  • Barbara J. Meyer

Mailing Address

  • School of Medicine, building 41

    University of Wollongong

    Wollongong

    NSW

    2522

    Australia

Visualisations

  Publication History
 

Research Areas