Dr Natalie Kwai is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in University of Wollongong specialising in exercise physiology, women’s health, gestational diabetes, pregnancy health, physical activity, and implementation science. Her research focuses on improving quality of life, long-term cardiometabolic health, and sustainable physical activity participation in people living with chronic disease, with a growing emphasis on women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy and postpartum.

 

Dr Kwai’s early research background was in diabetes-related neurophysiology, diabetic neuropathy, and neuromuscular degeneration through collaborations with the UNSW Prince of Wales Clinical School and affiliated clinical services. This work explored neurophysiological changes and protective mechanisms in people with diabetes and sparked a strong interest in the gap between evidence-based exercise recommendations and what is achievable, accessible, and sustainable in real-world healthcare settings.

 

Her current program of research centres on physical activity and exercise in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), postpartum health, diabetes prevention, and healthcare implementation. She is particularly interested in how exercise and lifestyle support can be embedded more effectively across maternity care, allied health, diabetes services, and community systems to improve long-term engagement in physical activity during and after pregnancy.

 

Natalie leads a developing translational research program exploring how physical activity support can be co-designed to better fit the real lives of women, clinicians, and healthcare systems. Her research integrates mixed-methods approaches including:

• qualitative research
• systematic reviews
• implementation science
• behaviour change theory
• co-design methodologies
• survey and mixed-methods research
• healthcare pathway redesign

 

Current Research Areas

• gestational diabetes and exercise physiology
• physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum
• postpartum diabetes prevention
• women’s health and lifestyle intervention research
• digital health and technology-assisted lifestyle interventions
• implementation science in healthcare
• co-designed healthcare interventions
• behaviour change and exercise adherence
• healthcare pathway redesign
• community-based physical activity interventions
• exercise physiology for chronic disease management

 

Natalie is particularly interested in clinically connected and real-world research that bridges the gap between evidence and practice. Her work involves collaboration across maternity services, diabetes care, allied health, exercise physiology, and community healthcare providers throughout South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

 

Research Students — Honours, Masters and PhD Opportunities

Dr Kwai is currently seeking motivated Honours, Masters, and PhD students interested in research across:

• women’s health
• gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
• pregnancy and postpartum health
• exercise physiology
• physical activity and exercise interventions
• diabetes prevention
• implementation science
• qualitative and mixed-methods research
• behaviour change
• co-design and healthcare innovation
• digital health and lifestyle interventions

 

Research students will have opportunities to contribute to clinically connected projects with potential for:

• peer-reviewed publications
• conference presentations
• healthcare stakeholder engagement
• clinical collaboration
• translational research impact

 

Collaborations include endocrinology and maternity services across the South Eastern Sydney Local Health Districts.

 

Current Honours, Masters and PhD Research Projects

 

1. Implementation Characteristics of Digital Physical Activity Interventions for Women With Gestational Diabetes

A systematic review exploring how digital and technology-assisted physical activity interventions are delivered, implemented, and sustained in women with gestational diabetes.

 

2. Determinants of Physical Activity Engagement in Women With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy and Postpartum: A COM-B Informed Mixed-Methods Review

A mixed-methods systematic review examining barriers and enablers to exercise and physical activity participation in women with gestational diabetes using behaviour change and implementation science frameworks.

 

3. Understanding the Pregnancy-to-Postpartum Transition in Women With Gestational Diabetes: Implications for Physical Activity Support

A qualitative and implementation-focused project exploring how women navigate the transition from pregnancy to postpartum and how healthcare systems can better support sustainable exercise participation.

 

4. Healthcare Professional Perspectives on Exercise and Physical Activity Support in Gestational Diabetes Care

A qualitative study exploring clinician perspectives, healthcare barriers, and opportunities for improving physical activity support pathways within gestational diabetes care.

 

5. Co-Designing Sustainable Physical Activity Pathways for Women With Gestational Diabetes

A co-design and implementation science project involving women, clinicians, and healthcare services to develop more sustainable and scalable physical activity support models.