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Emma Beckett

(She/her)
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Innovation - School of Health Sciences, UNSW Sydney

Emma has a multi-faceted research background, with qualifications and experience in food science, nutrition, epidemiology, science management, biomedical sciences, immunology and microbiology. Her research focuses on interactions (food, people, environments, nutrients, society) because food isn't nutrition until we eat it, and humans are complex and varied!

Emma is also a passionate science communicator. She has written for newspapers and magazines, and appears regularly on local and national radio. Emma’s science communication work focuses on nutrition myth busting and empowering the public to interpret nutrition research. In 2017 she was named as a NSW Young Tall Poppy, in recognition of both her research and communication work.

Experience

  • 2022–present
    Senior Lecturer (Food Science & Human Nutrition), The University of Newcastle
  • 2021–2022
    Lecturer (Food Science & Human Nutrition), The University of Newcastle
  • 2017–2020
    NHMRC Early Career Fellow, The University of Newcastle
  • 2008–2012
    Research Assistant and Laboratory Manager, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Newcastle

Education

  • 2020 
    Deakin University, Graduate Certificate Human Nutrition
  • 2016 
    University of Newcastle/CSIRO, PhD (Food Science)
  • 2011 
    University of Newcastle, Masters of Science Management
  • 2010 
    University of Newcastle, Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology
  • 2007 
    University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours Class I)

Publications

  • 2015
    Vitamin D receptor genotype modulates the correlation between vitamin D and circulating levels of let-7a/b and vitamin D intake in an elderly cohort., J Nutrigenetics & Nutrigenomics
  • 2015
    Macrolide therapy suppresses key features of experimental steroid-sensitive and steroid-insensitive asthma, Thorax
  • 2015
    Folate status, folate-related genes and serum miR-21 expression: Implications for miR-21 as a biomarker, BBA Clinical
  • 2015
    Methylation diet and methyl group genetics in risk for adenomatous polyp occurrence, BBA Clinical
  • 2015
    Vitamin D: Beyond Metabolism, JEBCAM
  • 2014
    Taste Genetics- the relationship to tasting, liking, consumption and health., Food and Function
  • 2014
    The role of vitamins and minerals in modulating the expression of microRNA., Nutrition Research Reviews
  • 2014
    Damaging legacy; maternal cigarette smoking has long-term consequences for male offspring fertility, Human Reproduction
  • 2014
    Bronchiolar Remodeling in Adult Mice Following Neonatal Exposure to Hyperoxia: Relation to Growth., Anatomical Record
  • 2013
    Scrambled and fried: Cigarette smoke exposure causes antral follicle destruction and oocyte dysfunction through oxidative stress., Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.
  • 2013
    A new short-term mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease identifies a role for mast cell tryptase in pathogenesis., J Allergy Clin Immunol.
  • 2012
    Chlamydia muridarum lung infection in infants alters hematopoietic cells to promote allergic airway disease in mice., PLoS One.
  • 2012
    TLR2, but not TLR4, is required for effective host defence against Chlamydia respiratory tract infection in early life., PLoS One.
  • 2011
    Increased zona pellucida thickness and meiotic spindle disruption in oocytes from cigarette smoking mice., Human Reprod
  • 2011
    Streptococcus pneumoniae infection suppresses allergic airways disease by inducing regulatory T-cells., Eur Respir J.
  • 2010
    Surveillance and analysis of avian influenza viruses, Australia., Emerg Infect Dis.
  • 2010
    Fibulin-1 is increased in asthma--a novel mediator of airway remodeling?, PLoS One.

Grants and Contracts

  • 2017
    NHMRC ECR Fellowship
    Role:
    Fellow
    Funding Source:
    National Health and Medical Research Council
  • 2016
    AMP Tomorrow Maker
    Role:
    CI
    Funding Source:
    AMP Foundation
  • 2012
    CSIRO OCE Scholar
    Role:
    Student (PhD) Scholarship
    Funding Source:
    CSIRO

Professional Memberships

  • Nutrition Society of Australia, Member