Prof. Peter Howe

Biography

Peter is the Director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, a new cross institutional research collaboration based at the University of Newcastle, he also holds the position of Professor of Nutrition Research in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy.

Peter also maintains conjoint appointments as Research Professor in Nutritional Physiology and Human Research Ethics Advisor at the University of South Australia and Adjunct Professor in Physiology at the University of Adelaide.

Peter is the Editor-in-Chief of the online journal Nutrients and a fellow of the Nutrition Society of Australia.

Peter has an extensive track record of multidisciplinary preclinical and clinical research in nutrition, cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience and more recently mental health. Having 40 years of full time research experience in university, CSIRO, hospital and pharmaceutical industry, he is considered an international authority on cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits of bioactive nutrients. Peter has published 200 papers with 4500 citations (H-index = 32).

His research goal is the scientific substantiation and promotion of health benefits of functional foods and nutraceuticals through collaborative partnerships with industry.

Qualifications

• PhD, Monash University, 1976
• Master of Science, University of Oxford - UK, 1972
• Bachelor of Science, University of Sydney, 1969

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Research

Research keywords

• Bioactive nutrients
• Cardiovascular and metabolic health
• Human Nutrition
• Mental Health
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Research expertise

Peter has a long-standing track record of preclinical and clinical research in cardiovascular/autonomic physiology and in nutrition addressing the pathogenesis, prevention and management of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.

His current research focuses on the role of diet and lifestyle in health optimisation: the impact of nutritional and exercise interventions on biomarkers of cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health; the elucidation of underlying mechanisms of action; the development of an integrated approach to risk factor management (including nutrients as adjunct therapy). Peter's research also encompasses food sources, bioavailability and intake recommendations for nutrients, esp. omega-3 fatty acids.

Collaboration

Peter has held several significant leadership roles in collaborative research concentrations at Australian universities and is currently the Director of The Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC) at the University of Newcastle, a collaborative initiative between research concentrations at University of Newcastle, University of South Australia and Swinburne University of Technology.

Peter goal is to establish productive partnerships with industry. Peter has built strategic alliances with both primary producers and food manufacturers to develop healthier foods and convenes the Annual Industry Forum for Nutrition Research. He has also worked as a consultant with many organisations including Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

Founder of the following research collaborations: Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Smart Foods Centre, University of Wollongong (ARC Key Centre of Teaching and Research), ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness

Fields of Research

Code	Description	Percentage
111103	Nutritional Physiology	100

Centres and Groups

Centre

• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition

Memberships

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Fellow - Nutrition Society of Australia
• Editor - Nutrients
• Member - International Society of Hypertension
• Member - American Oil Chemists Society (Australasian Chapter)
• Member - International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids & Lipids
• Member - High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia
• Member - Australasian Clinical Research Network (Management Committee)
• Member - Nutrition Australia

Invitations

Resveratrol 2012 University of Leicester, United Kingdom (Invited Presenter)	2012
Student Masterclass Nutrition Society of Australia annual meeting, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2012
Vasoactive Nutrients & Brain Function Glaxo Smith Kline, United Kingdom (Guest Seminar)	2012
Vasoactive Nutrients & Brain Function DSM Nutritional Products & Frutarom, Switzerland (Guest Seminar)	2012
Nutrients and Circulatory Function 3rd Annual Food Industry Forum for Nutrition Research, Australia (Convenor and Presenter)	2012
Vasoactive Nutrients and Brain Function Canadian Nutrition Society, Canada (Invited Presenter)	2012
Circulatory dysfunction and chronic inflammation: a common target for nutrient intervention Nutrition Society of Australia Newcastle Group meeting, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2012
Nutrients and Circulatory Function Food Industry Forum for Nutrition Research, Australia (Keynote Address)	2011
Erythrocyte omega-3 levels - an alternative basis for intake recommendations Australasian Section of the American Oil Chemists Society, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2011
Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease 5th International Conference on Mechanisms of Action of Nutraceuticals, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2011
Nutrition and Health & Shape Up for Life CPDENT: Dental Practice Update, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2011
Cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health benefits of vasoactive nutrients Therapeutic Applications of Functional Foods, Canada (Invited Presenter)	2011
Cardiometabolic and mental health benefits of vasoactive nutrients Science of Nutrition in Medicine and Healthcare Conference, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2011
Omega Index RCPA AACB Chemical Pathology Course, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2011
Cardiometabolic/mental health benefits of vasoactive nutrients University of Newcastle, Australia (Invited Presenter)	2011

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

Peter was the inaugural Director of the Smart Foods Centre at the University of Wollongong (1999) and founded and directed the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre at the University of South Australia (2003-2009). He was also Director and Chair of Executive Committee for the Australian Technology Network Centre for Metabolic Fitness from 2005 – 07, a national collaboration researching diet and lifestyle approaches to optimise physical and mental health.

Peter has had significant experience on several Human Research Ethics and Experimental Animal Research Ethics committees and is currently Human Research Ethics Advisor at the University of South Australia. He has also held a number of key roles in both the CSIRO and University based research administration. Peter is a regular assessor of grant applications for the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council.

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Cardiorespiratory Physiology
• Human Nutrition
• Nutrients and Metabolism
• Pathophysiology

Teaching expertise

Peter has extensive experience in supervising honours and PhD students and in mentoring postdoctoral and early career researchers, having supervised 18 higher degree research and 26 honours research students. Peter has also given invited lectures in both Human Nutrition and Nutrition & Dietetics courses at the University of South Australia, where he conducted Human Research Ethics training workshops. Peter also has experience both lecturing and coordinating undergraduate students from his work at the University of Wollongong, University of Adelaide and Flinders University.