Meet Your Teacher: Dr Rachelle Pretorius Shaping Generations Through Nutrition Research

Have you ever wondered what a career as a nutrition researcher might look like?

Meet Dr Rachelle Pretorius, one of the fantastic academics in the Food Science and Nutrition team at Murdoch University, whose groundbreaking work is transforming lives across generations. As the coordinator and lecturer for Human Nutritional Physiology, Dr Pretorius blends her expertise in research with her passion for education, inspiring students to address pressing health challenges with innovative solutions.

Driving Change Through Early Life Nutrition Research

Rachelle’s research is centred on maternal and early life nutrition, a field she believes is crucial for shaping lifelong health outcomes for both mothers and children. Her work investigates the intricate links between diet, chronic inflammation, gut microbiota, and child health outcomes, with emphasis on early childhood brain development. She is interested in addressing critical health concerns such as gut dysbiosis and chronic inflammation driven by poor dietary habits.

Rachelle’s PhD formed part of the SYMBA Study, a sub-project of The ORIGIN Project, which explored the impact of prebiotic intake during pregnancy on infant allergic disease outcomes. Her research has since evolved to examine the association between dietary fibre sub-types, gestational diabetes during pregnancy, and mother and child health outcomes. By employing diverse research models like randomised control trials and epidemiological studies, Dr Pretorius continues to uncover valuable insights into early life nutrition and its role in health and development.

Most recently, her work has expanded to analysing data from over 200,000 mother-infant pairs through the European Child Cohort Network (ECCN), shedding light on how maternal metabolic health influences neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Her dedication to understanding these connections has positioned her research as a cornerstone in advancing the field of nutrition science.

From Global Industry to Academic Excellence

Before joining Murdoch University, Dr Pretorius gained over a decade of experience as a Global Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Manager, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of food products for infants and young children. This experience fuelled her passion for early life nutrition, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life, a period that lays the foundation for lifelong health.

Her academic journey culminated in a Master of Science in Physiology and a PhD in Nutrition and Immunometabolism. This unique blend of industry and academic expertise enables Dr Pretorius to bring an integrative perspective to her teaching, research, and collaborations.

Teaching That Bridges Research and Practice

At Murdoch University, Dr Pretorius is committed to merging research insights with education. Her engaging teaching style incorporates real-world examples, encouraging students to think critically and deepen their understanding of complex nutrition science topics. She also embraces emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and academic writing tools, to enhance the learning experience for her students, fostering responsible and informed use in evidence-based research and translation.

Looking Ahead

Dr Pretorius is dedicated to furthering collaboration and building networks to deepen our understanding of the connection between maternal and child dietary intakes, chronic inflammation, gut microbiota, and brain development. Her work aims to uncover behavioural and environmental drivers influencing dietary patterns, providing actionable solutions that improve health outcomes for mothers and children.

Murdoch University is thrilled to have Dr Rachelle Pretorius as part of its faculty, inspiring future nutrition professionals to recognise the transformative power of nutrition in shaping healthier generations. Whether through her innovative research or her impactful teaching, Dr Pretorius’s contributions to nutrition science will continue to resonate widely.

Find out more about our courses here: https://www.murdoch.edu.au/schools/medical-molecular-and-forensic-sciences/study