Dr Helen O'Connor
BSc(UNSW) DipND (USYD) PhD (USYD)
Senior Lecturer
| Telephone | 93519625 |
| Fax | 93519204 |
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Biographical details
Helen O'Connor is a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science.
Prior to becoming an academic, Helen had 12 years experience as a dietitian in both clinical and sports nutrition areas. She was the inaugural president (and now fellow) of Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA) and is on the board of PINES (Professionals in Nutrition and Exercise for Sport), an international sports nutrition organisation affiliated with the American College of Sports Medicine. She has been the consultant sports dietitian to a number of elite sporting groups (Sydney Swans, Bulldogs NRL, NSW Institute of Sport) an is an associate editor for the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.
Research interests
Her current research interests include metabolism and weight management, particularly in young women and in using novel exercise interventions for metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease. Helen is also researching the impact of iron deficiency and obesity on cognition. As a level 3 anthropometrist accredited by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) Helen also has an interest in body composition and anthropometry. In the area of and nutrition for sports performance, Helen's research focuses on hydration and thermoregulation and interventions to minimise nutritional risk in elite athletes.
Teaching and supervision
Helen coordinates four units of study in nutrition for the Faculty of Health Science and is course director for the combined and new double degree in exercise science, nutrition and dietetics, both of which are across faculty programs with the Faculties of Health Science and Science.
Selected grants
2012
- Rev Up: A healthy lifestyle intervention program; Freeston J, Fiatarone Singh M, Johnson N, O'Connor H; Uniting Church in Australia/Inner City Development Fund.
2011
- Injury Prevalence and Characteristics in Elite Junior Rugby League Players; Orr R, O'Connor H, Riddington P; New South Wales Sporting Injuries Committee/Research and Injury Prevention Scheme.
- Exercise and liver fat reduction in pre-diabetes: moving beyond weight loss; Johnson N, Caterson I, George J, O'Connor H; Diabetes Australia Research Trust/Research Grants.
2010
- Influence of iron deficiency on cognition, mood, and quality of life in young normal weight and obese women; O'Connor H, Steinbeck K, O'Dwyer N, Rooney K; Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd/Human Nutrition Research Program.
2009
- Novel diet and exercise strategies for the treatment of obesity and its co-morbidities; O'Connor H; DVC Research/Brown Fellowships.
- Hydration status and bowling performance in cricket; O'Connor H, Rooney K, Ferdinands E; PepsiCo Australia & New Zealand/Project Support.
2005
- Comparison of diets on weight loss and other indicators in young, obese women.; O'Connor H, Rooney K, Steinbeck K; Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd/Human Nutrition Research Program.
- MedGraphics Ultima PFX Metabolic Testing System; Freedman D, Blair S, Davis G, Kilbreath S, Chow C, O'Sullivan A, Singh N, Fiatarone Singh M, Banati R, O'Connor H, Atlantis E; University of Sydney/Equipment Grant.
Selected publications
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