Jessica Danaher

Dr Jess Danaher is a Nutrition Scientist and Dietitian with a passion for improving the world's food and nutrition-related health through storytelling.

Her research and teaching primarily focuses on diet and disease, and translating genomic research into practice to personalise nutrition recommendations.

Jess has a sustained program of original research that focuses on optimising nutrition practice to achieve impactful and sustainable health outcomes. This includes researching what types of diets work best for people depending on their DNA, using various innovations to fight food waste, and designing games to teach nutrition through social play.

She contributes to shaping the world with purpose through proactive involvement in nationally acclaimed engagement programs, including Superstars of STEM and the Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform. Here Jess works towards equal representation of women in the media and sustainable food security for Oceania, respectively.

Living up to the motto ‘You cannot be what you cannot see’, Jess sets out to smash stereotypes of what women in science look like and is a role model to young girls and boys, with an active presence in science communication in the media and social media, and as an engaging workshop host at science outreach events.
She has won numerous national and international learning and teaching awards for innovative and engaging tertiary-level science education.
Jess is also responsible for turning complex scientific concepts into easy-to-digest nutrition messages. She works with major Australian media outlets as an engaging, go-to expert on nutrition topics.

Some examples of her recent media work include juicy bite-size expert commentary for Good Food and The Age on 'chocolate-covered strawberries as an aphrodisiac' and 'diet myth-busting', and spilling the tea on 'how caffeine affects the body' for Upstart mag.

The most satisfying part of Jess’ career is that it allows her to keep up to date with the latest nutrition research, sustainable food practices and healthy eating initiatives.

Professional associations:
Superstars of STEM, Science and Technology Australia (STA)
Oceanic Nutrition Leadership Platform (ONLP)
Dietitians Australia (DA)

Media experience:
-Diet myths busted: Why breakfast isn't the most important meal. The Age and Good Food, Feb 2021.
(https://www.goodfood.com.au/good-health/diet-myths-busted-why-breakfast-is-not-the-most-important-meal-20210218-h1u35y?fbclid=IwAR2j9kzjGu_Q9dG6en6nfG7GOquRX4iwSSBOa0Dqp8AKH9jCAXnCJRbuKlM)
-The science of why we love chocolate and strawberries on Valentine's Day. The Age and Good Food, Feb 2021.
(https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/the-science-of-why-we-love-chocolate-and-strawberries-on-valentines-day-20210211-h1txog)
-How caffeine affects the body. Upstart, June 2021.
(https://www.upstart.net.au/how-caffeine-affects-the-body/)
-What’s next for the future of nutrition? RMIT, December, 2019.
(https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2019/dec/future-of-nutrition)
-Long term effectiveness of high protein diets. SBS Radio (Serbian and English), May 2019.
-Open Classrooms Podcast Series (RMIT University College of Science, Engineering and Health): Guest Presenter for Episodes 1 and 9 (2019)
(https://sites.rmit.edu.au/sister/2019/02/05/open-classrooms-episode-1-jessica-danaher/?_gl=1*14de7eb*_gcl_au*MTk0OTI5MTE5OC4xNzEzMDkzMzI4)
-The 'Perfect Storm' Of Mistakes Students Make When Studying. Channel 10 Daily, Oct 2018.
-Diet fads. Lost in Science 3CR Community Radio, Nov 2018.
(https://www.3cr.org.au/lostinscience/episode-201811080830/diet-fads-and-animal-fashions)
-Egg-cellent way to prevent malnutrition. Aged Care Insite, Oct 2017.