Talk about a double celebration! Two Metro South Health dietitians have graduated with PhDs from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) – at the same time, on the same topic and with the same supervisor.
Dr Marguerite Conley, from Princess Alexandra Hospital and Dr Erynn McAuley, from Logan Hospital, both researched how diet can help people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Marguerite’s PhD looked at how people living with CKD and obesity can lose weight safely.
Her research reviewed different weight loss approaches for people at all stages of CKD and looked at whether low-energy diets could be a useful option.
The research found that, with close medical supervision, low-energy diets can be safe and achievable. They can also help people lose a meaningful amount of weight and improve their health.
The findings will help support future research into whether weight loss could also protect kidney health and slow the progression of CKD.
Erynn’s PhD looked at how to help people with CKD build skills and confidence to make healthier food choices.
As part of her research, Erynn developed the Kidney-Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Program (Kidney-HELP). The program is offered through both group sessions and a self-paced format.
Her research found the self-paced program could help people improve their eating habits and feel more confident about making healthy food choices.
Kidney-HELP has since been introduced across two health services.
Maguerite and Erynn shared a PhD supervisor in Metro North Health’s Dr Helen McLaughlin.
And since completing their PhDs, the pair have continued working together on research projects and grant applications.
Congratulations to Marguerite and Erynn on this fantastic achievement!