Tara is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT) at the University of Canberra. She is investigating nutrition, the pathophysiological mechanisms of dementia, and dietary behaviour change. Her research is supported by degrees in Human Nutrition and Biomedical Science. Tara is particularly interested in non-pharmacological strategies that may slow dementia progression and enhance quality of life for people living with dementia. Tara pursued dementia and nutrition research because she is driven to empower people to support brain health through modifiable lifestyle factors.

Tara is a teaching fellow in the Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Canberra, teaching anatomy and physiology units. She has provided lectures for the Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, mentors postgraduate students and does nutrition and dementia presentations for the public.

Research interests:
• Nutrigenomics, precision nutrition
• Nutritional neuroscience
• Healthy ageing
• Dietary behaviour change