Professor Leanne Redman has been appointed as the new Academic Director of the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC), following a comprehensive global search. The CPC is the University of Sydney’s largest multidisciplinary research initiative, focused on addressing the health challenges associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Professor Redman will officially take on her new role on February 9, 2024, succeeding Professor Stephen J Simpson, who led the Centre for 13 years.
Currently, Professor Redman holds multiple positions at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, including the LPFA Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Associate Executive Director for Scientific Education. Over the past two decades, she has made significant contributions to women’s health, particularly in areas such as obesity during pregnancy, maternal nutrition optimization, and childhood obesity prevention.
Expertise and Vision for the Future
Professor Kathy Belov, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global and Research Engagement) at the University of Sydney, expressed confidence in Professor Redman’s appointment, stating, “Leanne’s research record makes her a perfect fit for the Charles Perkins Centre. She brings deep expertise and a collaborative spirit that will strengthen our community.”
As CPC embarks on a new chapter following a five-year review, Professor Belov looks forward to the leadership and vision that Professor Redman will bring to the Centre. “I know her vision will inspire us all as we continue tackling the world’s most pressing health challenges together,” she added.
Originally from Australia, Professor Redman completed her Bachelor of Human Movement Science with honours at Southern Cross University. She earned her PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2004 and a Master of Clinical Research in 2011 at Tulane University in the United States. Her body of work at Pennington Biomedical has centered on how diet and physical activity impact body composition and energy metabolism.
A Leader in Nutrition Research
Professor Redman has designed and conducted numerous clinical trials to investigate the body’s energy stores and the metabolic processes that defend them. Her research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind obesity development while developing effective interventions for treatment and prevention. As Director of the Nutrition Obesity Research Center, Professor Redman focuses on the generational transmission of obesity.
With over 300 published works, including research articles, reviews, and book chapters, her contributions to the fields of diet, exercise, obesity, and pregnancy have led to her work being cited more than 28,000 times. Earlier this year, she received the McCollum Award from the American Society for Nutrition, recognizing her as a major creative force in nutrition research. This accolade adds to her list of honors, including the TOPS Award from The Obesity Society in 2023, two national mentoring awards, and the LSU Presidential Laurels Medal in the same year.
Dr John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical, praised her innovative approach, highlighting her pioneering work in developing e-health technologies. These include smartphone applications designed to help individuals adhere to national dietary and exercise guidelines. Professor Redman has also collaborated with her mentor, Dr Eric Ravussin, as a primary investigator on the Nutrition for Precision Health study, which is the largest effort to date aimed at understanding individual responses to nutrition.
Reflecting on her new role, Professor Redman stated, “Ever since the CPC was established in 2012, I have maintained a keen eye on its progress and expansion. I am excited by the opportunity to lead this successful cross-disciplinary Centre towards a future of strong strategic alliances and collaborations within the University, Australia, and worldwide.”
The Charles Perkins Centre, established in 2012, integrates principles from evolutionary biology and ecology to foster unexpected collaborations among diverse teams, including clinicians, scientists, writers, and philosophers. This collaborative approach has allowed the CPC to create significant real-world impacts through its research and educational initiatives.
In partnership with institutions such as the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, and various international partners—including the World Health Organization and universities in Glasgow and Copenhagen—the CPC continues to address global health challenges related to obesity and related diseases.
