‘Unashamedly ambitious‘ is how Catherine Itsiopoulos describes herself – and with a career that has spanned many parts of the country in all areas of dietetics, the proof is definitely in the pudding! In this podcast, we chat to Catherine about some of her most remarkable career moves, including diving into academia, studying the Mediterranean Diet and writing three books… and even starting her PhD when she was six months pregnant! Catherine also shares what keeps her ticking, the advice she wishes she’d heard when she was younger and the failures that made her the person she is today. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Biography
Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos (PhD APD) is the incoming Dean of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University, and previously held senior academic roles as Pro Vice Chancellor of the College of Science Health Engineering and Education at Murdoch University and Head of School of Allied Health Human Services and Sport at La Trobe University.
Catherine is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics affiliated with the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and Murdoch University (Western Australia). She is a recognised expert in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, and has international standing as a leader in Mediterranean diet research. Catherine is the Australian daughter of Greek migrants and has spent her career examining whether the Mediterranean diet can prevent or treat a range of diseases, including Heart Disease, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, childhood asthma, mood disorders and depression, and dementia.
Catherine has authored about 100 scientific publications – presenting her research nationally and internationally – and has published three books, The Mediterranean Diet, The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, and the Heart Health Guide which was just recently released.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why Catherine wanted to become a dietitian
- Her many career moves across Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Perth
- Her research on the Mediterranean Diet and subsequent travels to Greece
- The process of writing her three books
- Her inspirations and what keeps her pushing
- The importance of having role models
- The advice she’d give her younger self
Book competition
To celebrate the release of Catherine’s new book, The Heart Health Guide, we’re giving away a copy. To win, head over to our Instagram page and tell us in less than 25 words WHY you need a copy of The Heart Health Guide. Competition closes 5pm Syd/Melb time 19th March 2021.