Associate Professor Lisa Smithers
Associate Professor
School of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Associate Professor Lisa Smithers is always looking for opportunities to make a difference to the health and welfare of children.
“I worry about things that get in the way of children reaching their full potential, whether that be physical health or development. If we can identify the impediments to children’s development, then we can design and test interventions that directly change or buffer the effects on development.”
Separating out hype from science is another one of her interests. “Often scientists, me included, fall in love with our favourite theories and use the best available evidence to support it. In our group, we often try to throw everything at a hypothesis before deciding whether the results support the theory. When we can, we use methods that deal with potential biases in results, from the basics such as imputation to address missing information, through to designing studies that incorporate assessments of bias such as negative control studies or more sophisticated methods such as quantitative bias assessments.”
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
I have research interests in perinatal and paediatrics health, including nutrition, public health and Aboriginal health.
orcid.org/0000-0002-6585-7836For parties interested in accessing our advertising database, please email me directly.
We are looking for a high calibre PhD student to undertake a research project around liver diseases during pregnancy. The student will need strong analytical skills and a background in health science. If you're interested in knowing more, please email (lisa.smithers@adelaide.edu.au).
For details on projects available please view the following booklet: School of Public Health Student Projects
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2016 Associate Professor University of Adelaide 2014 - 2015 Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide 2011 - 2013 Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Adelaide -
Language Competencies
Language Competency English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2010 - 2013 University of Adelaide Australia MPH 2001 - 2006 University of Adelaide Australia PhD 1997 - 1999 Deakin University Australia Grad Dip Hum Nutr 1989 - 1991 University of South Australia Australia B App Sc -
Research Interests
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Community Child Health Developmental & Child Psychology Early Childhood Education Nutrition and Dietetics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Public Nutrition Intervention Child and Adolescent Health Early Origins of Health Indigenous and Disadvantaged Health Nutrition and Metabolic Health Oral Health Pregnancy and Birth
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Journals
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2016 Smithers, L., & Rebuli, M. (2016). Infant Nutrition and Obesity. In S. Ahmad, & S. Imam (Eds.), Obesity: A Practical Guide (pp. 297-307). Switzerland: Springer.
2016 Gould, J., Makrides, M., Colombo, J., & Smithers, L. (2016). Randomized controlled trial of maternal omega-3 long-chain PUFA supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood development of attention, working memory, and inhibitory control. In Unknown Book (Vol. 114, pp. 74-75).
2009 Smithers, L. G., & Makrides, M. (2009). Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and infant development. In R. Watson (Ed.), Fatty acids in health promotion and disease causation (1 ed., pp. 349-378). Urbana, IL, USA: AOCS Press. -
Conference Papers
Year Citation 2018 Grzeskowiak, L. E., Smithers, L. G., Grieger, J. A., Bianco-Miotto, T., Leemaqz, S. Y., Clifton, V. L., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2018). Asthma associated with infertility-but not among women taking regular asthma preventers: Evidence from the international scope study. In PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY Vol. 27 (pp. 238-239). WILEY. 2016 Mol, B., Smithers, L., & Lynch, J. (2016). The impact of caesarean section on children's school achievement. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY Vol. 214 (pp. S342). Atlanta, GA: MOSBY-ELSEVIER.
2005 Anderson, P., Cox, T., Roscioli, T., Smithers, L., Powell, B., David, D., . . . McLean, N. (2005). The craniomaxillofacial management of opitz GBBB syndrome. In D. David (Ed.), Craniofacial Surgery (pp. 343-344). Coolum, AUSTRALIA: MEDIMOND S R L. 2005 Anderson, P., Cox, T., Roscioli, T., Smithers, L., Powell, B., & David, D. (2005). Somatic mutations in cranial stiture cells. In D. David (Ed.), Craniofacial Surgery (pp. 19-20). Coolum, AUSTRALIA: MEDIMOND S R L. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2018 Brownbill, A. L., Miller, C., Smithers, L., & Braunack-Mayer, A. (2018). Sugar coating beverages: how television advertisements position sugar-sweetened beverages as healthy [Poster]. Poster session presented at the meeting of European Congress on Obesity. Vienna. 2018 Brownbill, A. L., Miller, C., Smithers, L., & Braunack-Mayer, A. (2018). Sugar coating beverages: how television advertisements position sugar-sweetened beverages as healthy [Poster]. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australian Public Health Conference. Cairns. 2017 Roesler, A., Smithers, L., & Moore, V. (2017). LOCAL INSIGHTS INTO THE NUTRITION OF HILL TRIBE CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS IN NORTHERN THAILAND: BEFORE AND AFTER AN AGRICULTURE INTERVENTION. Poster session presented at the meeting of ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM. KARGER. 2014 Searle, A., Chittleborough, C., Smithers, L., Brinkman, S., & Lynch, J. (2014). Predicting emotional vulnerability in the first school year using population-level perinatal information: A data linkage study. Poster session presented at the meeting of Society for Mental Health Research Conference. Adelaide. 2014 Chong, S. Y., Chittleborough, C. R., Gregory, T., Mittinty, N. M., Lynch, J., & Smithers, L. (2014). Influence of parenting and child temperament on Intelligence Quotient (IQ) at 8 years. Poster session presented at the meeting of Occasional Temperament Conference. Lincoln, Nebraska. 2014 Chong, S. Y., Chittleborough, C. R., Gregory, T., Mittinty, N. M., Lynch, J., & Smithers, L. (2014). Using marginal structural models to estimate the direct effect of temperament at 2-3 years on receptive vocabulary and academic achievement at 6-7 years. Poster session presented at the meeting of Occasional Temperament Conference. Lincoln, Nebraska. 2010 Collins, C. T., Smithers, L. G., Simmonds, L. A., Gibson, R. A., McPhee, A. J., & Makrides, M. (2010). Language and behaviour follow-up from the DINO (Dha for the Improvement of Neurodevelopmental Outcome in preterm infants) trial. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of 3rd Congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Societies, as published in Pediatric Research. Copenhagen, Denmark: Nature Publishing Group.
2009 Makrides, M., Gibson, R. A., Collins, C. T., McPhee, A. J., Smithers, L. G., & Ryan, P. (2009). Does high-dose dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improve the neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants born <33 weeks? The outcomes of the DINO Trial. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 19th International Congress of Nutrition, as published in Annals of Nutrition And Metabolism. Bangkok, Thailand: Karger.
2009 Smithers, L. G., Collins, C. T., Gibson, R. A., McPhee, A. J., & Makrides, M. (2009). High-dose docosahexaenoic acid supplementation of preterm infants does not influence language development in early childhood. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 19th International Congress of Nutrition, as published in Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. Bangkok, Thailand: Karger.
2003 Smithers, L. G., McPhee, A. J., Gibson, R. A., & Makrides, M. (2003). Characterisation of feeding patterns in infants born <33 weeks gestational age. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstract from Nutrition Society of Australia, as published in Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Australia.
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Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2016 Nuske, T., Pilkington, R., Gialamas, A., Chittleborough, C., Smithers, L., & Lynch, J. (2016). The SA Early Childhood Data Project: Updated Report. Adelaide: University of Adelaide. 2014 Roesler, A., Moore, V., Smithers, L. G., & Wangpakapattanawong, P. (2014). Local insights into improving child nutrition in northern Thailand: findings and recommendations regarding breastfeeding. 2014 Pilkington, R., Scalzi, D., Gialamas, A., Smithers, L. G., Chittleborough, C., & Lynch, J. (2014). The South Australian early childhood health and development project: initial report. Adelaide: The University of Adelaide. 2012 Smithers, L. G., Lynch, J., & Merlin, T. (2012). Television marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children: a review of the published evidence since 2009. Canberra: Australian National Preventive Health Agency. 2007 Smithers, L. G., & McIntyre, E. (2007). Human milk: overview of composition and function. -
Theses
Year Citation 2006 Smithers, L. G. (2006). Safety and efficacy of high dose docosahexaenoic acid for the preterm infant. (PhD Thesis, The University of Adelaide). -
Presentations
Year Citation — Roesler, A., Smithers, L., & Moore, V. (n.d.). Local insights into dietary practices before and after a nutrition-sensitive agricultural intervention in the ethnic communities of northern Thailand.
Competitive Research Funding
National Competitive Schemes (Category 1)
| Date | Project/No. | Investigators | Funding Body | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |
Grzeskowiak, Amir, Smithers, Jacobs, Ingman, Grivell, Knight. |
NHMRC Project grant | $980 k | |
| 2018 | Jamieson, Paradies, Roberts, Hedges, Venner, Mitchell, Dunbar, Warren, Kularatna, Smithers. | NHMRC Targeted Call for Research into Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing | $898 k | |
| 2015 |
Lynch, Sawyer, Mol, Roberts, Dekker, Stocks, Schurer, Gurrin, Dwyer, Bowering, Jeffs, Dandie, Associate Investigators: Frank, Mittinty, Law, Cobb-Clark, Smithers, Chittleborough. |
NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence | $2.49 mill | |
| 2014 | Smithers, Sorell, Lynch. | Heart Foundation | $71 k | |
| 2013 | Lynch, Chittleborough, Smithers, Sawyer, Brinkman, Mittinty, Sawyer, Bowering. | NHMRC Partnership grant | $273 k | |
| 2012 | Makrides, Smithers, Yelland, Treyvaud. | NHMRC Project grant | $583 k | |
| 2012 | Merlin, Smithers, Lynch | Australian National Preventive Health Agency | $60 k | |
| 2009 | Gibson, Anderson, Smithers | NHMRC Project grant | $530 k | |
| 2009 | Smithers, Makrides, Skeaff | Foundation for Children | $80 k |
Other Sources of Funding
| Date | Project/No. | Investigators | Funding Body | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Smithers, Lynch, Dekker, Hoon, Telfer. | Channel 7 Children's Research Fund | $75 k | |
| 2018 | Hague, Smithers, Lynch, Dodd. | Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia & New Zealand | $10 k | |
| 2018 | Smithers, Dekker, Lynch, Hoon. | Robinson Research Institute, Engaging Opportunities | $5 k | |
| 2018 | Grieger (mentee), Smithers (mentor). | University of Adelaide, FHMS Emerging Leadership | $40 k | |
| 2018 | Jamieson, Smithers, Hedges, Lynch. | Channel 7 Children's Research Fund | $75 k | |
| 2018 | Zhou, Smithers, Roberts. | Channel 7 Children's Research Fund | $75 k | |
| 2017 | Braunack-Mayer, Smithers, Miller. | University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health Science Project | $30 k | |
| 2016 | Jamieson, Lynch, Dunbar, Smithers, Somogyi, Cooper, Weyrich. | University of Adelaide, Interdisciplinary Research grant | $35 k | |
| 2013 | Gould, Makrides, Collins, Smithers. | Women's & Children's Foundation | $60 k | |
| 2011 | Smithers. | Australian Federation of University Women | $5 k | |
| 2008 | Smithers, Gibson, Makrides. | Channel 7 Children's Research Fund | $40 k | |
| 2007 | Smithers, Gibson, Makrides. | Channel 7 Children's Research Fund | $47 k |
2013 - 2017: Lecturer, Epidemiological Research Methods, Master of Public Health program
2018 - 2019: Course Coordinator, Introduction to Epidemiology, Master of Public Health Program
2018 - 2019: Course Coordinator, Nutrition: Ideology, Individuals & Industry, Bachelor of Health & Medical Science
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2018 Co-Supervisor Improve Micronutrient Intake and Status of Mother and Children to Optimise Health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Molla Mesele Wassie 2018 Co-Supervisor The Effects of an Early Childhood Caries Intervention on Dental Pain, Dental Extractions and Dental Treatment Under General Anaesthetics among Indigenous Children Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Wendy Wai Sau Cheung 2018 Principal Supervisor Smoking in Pregnancy Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Cherise Jaye Fletcher 2017 Co-Supervisor Validation of Psychological Instruments used in an Intervention Aimed at Reducing Early Childhood Caries Among Aboriginal Children Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pedro Henrique Ribeiro Santiago 2017 Co-Supervisor Psychosocial and Behavioural Mediators of Discrimination and Aboriginal Oral health Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Davi Manzini Macedo 2017 Principal Supervisor The Impact of Obstetrical Interventions During Delivery on Children's Health and Neurodevelopment Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Engida Yisma Derbie 2016 Principal Supervisor Effect of Advertising on Food Choices and Nutritional Studies of Australian and Immigrant Children in Adelaide Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Mumtaz Begum -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2016 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Development and sustainability of interventions to improve child nutrition: A case-study of ethnic minority communities in northern Thailand Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anna Roesler 2013 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Children's Temperament and Parenting Practices in the First Five Years of Life and Cognitive, Academic and Adiposity Outcomes in Later Childhood and Adolescence Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Shiau Yun Chong 2009 - 2013 Co-Supervisor A Randomised Controlled Trial of DHA-Rich Fish Oil Supplementation During Pregnancy and Subsequent Development of Attention, Working Memory and Inhibitory Control in Early Childhood Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Jacqueline Gould -
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Health professionals views on smoking in pregnancy University of Adelaide BHMS(Adv) Honours Full Time Anna Kalamkarian 2017 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Newborn morbidity and child development University of Adelaide BHMS Honours Full Time Amanda Reyes 2015 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Sugar consumption in Australia University of Adelaide; University of Wollongong PhD Doctorate Full Time Adyya Gupta 2009 - 2009 Co-Supervisor Non-esterified DHA in cord blood University of Adelaide B Biotech Honours Full Time Goldy Yong
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Board Memberships
Date Role Board name Institution name Country 2018 - ongoing Advisory Board Member Longitudinal Study of Australian Children AIFS Australia -
Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2018 - ongoing Chair Animal Ethics Committee (Science) University of Adelaide Australia 2013 - ongoing Member South Australia's Young Investigator Award — Australia -
Consulting/Advisories
Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country 2018 - ongoing Department of Social Services Australian Institute for Family Studies Scientific research Australia 2018 - ongoing Hort Innovation Project Reference Group — Farming and related Australia 2013 - 2016 National Health and Medical Research Council Health Advice Panel member, services relevant to the development and presentation of evidence based health advice. Health services and related Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2013 - ongoing Editor The British Journal of Nutrition: an international journal of nutritional science — United Kingdom
Connect With Me
External Profiles
