Associate Professor Gabriella Heruc

Position

Associate Professor, School of Medicine

Biography

A/Prof Gabriella Heruc is an internationally recognised leader in eating disorders, with more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical practice, research, policy, and sector leadership across Australia and internationally. An Accredited Practising Dietitian and researcher, she has made major contributions to the development of Australia’s eating disorder treatment system, including leadership on landmark Medicare reforms, the world’s first Clinical Practice Standards for Eating Disorders, (opens in a new window) and the national ANZAED Eating Disorder Credential (opens in a new window) for clinicians working with eating disorders. Her work has helped secure and shape major national investment, including a $2.75 million Australian Government-funded credentialing initiative and a further $450,000 expansion to general practitioners, strengthening workforce capability and access to evidence-based care nationwide. She was also the first dietitian elected President of the Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders and has contributed to international practice development through the Academy for Eating Disorders Guidebook for Nutrition Treatment.

Gabbi is also a leading figure in eating disorder dietetic research and implementation science. She co-founded the Eating Disorders and Nutrition Research Group (ENRG) (opens in a new window) - the first research program internationally dedicated to dietetic practice in eating disorders, which has grown to 13 members across 5 universities. Her research and translation program spans national guideline development, service improvement, and prevention, including consultation with more than 100 clinicians, professional bodies, consumers, and carers across Australia and New Zealand, as well as leadership of the SHiNE initiative (Supporting Healthful Initiatives in Nutrition Education), (opens in a new window) supported by a ~$1M MRFF Early to Mid-Career Researchers grant to develop world-first safe nutrition messaging for schools. She is also a primary researcher and clinic director on the bi-national TrEAT Clinical Quality Registry, (opens in a new window) as well as chief investigator on their recent ~$2 MRFF Research Data Infrastructure grant contributing to nationally significant data infrastructure to evaluate treatment outcomes and inform future models of care. Through this integrated program of research, funding success, and cross-sector collaboration, she has established a strong reputation for delivering measurable impact for universities, funders, policymakers, clinicians, and communities in Australia and beyond.

Research Interests

• Prevention of eating disorders via food and nutrition messaging
• The role of the dietitian in eating and feeding disorder management
• Upskilling and evaluating the eating disorders workforce
• Interprofessional collaborative care in eating disorders
• Blood glucose regulation in eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal function and appetite changes in eating disorders
• Physiological effects of starvation and changes with refeeding

Qualifications & Recognition

• Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine, 2019, University of Adelaide
• Master of Nutrition & Dietetics, 2005, Sydney University
• Bachelor of Science (HonsPsyc), 2000, Macquarie University
• Bachelor of Behavioural Science, 1999, Flinders University

Research & Publications

• View my publications page (opens in a new window)
• View my ResearchGate profile (opens in a new window)

Contact Details