Scientific Committee

The purpose of the AuSPEN Scientific Committee is to recognise, support, and strengthen quality of multi-disciplinary research in the field of clinical nutrition across Australia and New Zealand and to facilitate mentorship to enable clinicians to undertake methodologically rigorous multi-disciplinary research.

Roles of the Committee are:

  • Evaluate and advise the AuSPEN council on national and international research trends in clinical nutrition and to advise on Scientific content of AuSPEN conferences.

  • Facilitate strong research activities in the Australasian region through the management and provision of research grants, including liaising with Council and industry to decide the number and value of grants to be awarded, management of the grant proposal submissions and review process, award AuSPEN grants and report grant outcomes to the AuSPEN Council and the broader membership.

  • Management of the AuSPEN ASM abstracts process, including assess and feedback on abstracts submitted for presentation; preparation of the schedule for abstract presentation; and liaison with the Secretariat for communication of outcomes with abstract authors.

  • Recognition of exemplary research through awarding abstract prizes during the AuSPEN Conference.

  • Support high quality research through dissemination of effective resources, including publications, guidelines, and presentations, through online media in collaboration with Marketing and Media.

  • Encourage multi-disciplinary and collaborative research activities by connecting researchers with the region’s experts in their defined clinical area.

  • Encourage mentoring of clinicians to conduct research through strategies such as the provision of novice grants, mentoring and the development of ‘research basics’ course.

  • To ensure AuSPEN-led events are innovative and evidence-based by providing strategic direction to other committees including the Conference Organising Committee and Education Committee.

Committee Members:

Co-Chairs: Oana Tatucu & Elena George

Members: Lisa Barker, Andrew Xia, Elizabeth Smith, Lisa Barker, Kate Fetterplace, Kate Lambell, Lee-anne Chapple and Raeesa Doola

2023/2024 Achievements:

  • 48 Abstracts received for 2024 Conference

  • Publication of Oral Presentation Abstracts in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN