Evelyn Parr

Dr. Evelyn Parr is a Senior Research Fellow at the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University (ACU), where she conducts translational research in the Exercise and Nutrition Research Program. Her work focuses on the interplay between exercise, nutrition, and metabolic health, particularly in the context of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and body composition.

Her educational background includes undergraduate degrees in Physical Education and Science from the University of Otago, New Zealand, followed by a Master’s in Exercise Metabolism and a PhD titled 'Exercise and nutrient interactions: Effects on skeletal muscle and body fat mass,' awarded in 2016 from ACU.

Dr. Parr's research centers on time-restricted eating, nutrient timing, and exercise prescription to improve glycemic control and prevent muscle loss, especially in aging and overweight populations. She investigates how manipulating the timing of food intake and physical activity can optimize metabolic outcomes. Her work often involves randomized controlled trials and collaborations with leading institutions like La Trobe University and the University of Adelaide.

The recent publication trends highlight a strong focus on time-restricted eating, circadian metabolism, and exercise timing. Her studies integrate nutrition, physiology, and clinical outcomes, contributing to the growing field of chrononutrition and metabolic disease prevention.

• Best paper of 2020, Exercise and Sports Science Reviews (awarded 2021)
• International Travel Award, European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Conference (2019)
• Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship (2014–2015)
• Best student presentation, SESNZ conference (2014)
• ESPEN Early Career Fellowship (2018–2019)

Dr. Parr has secured significant research funding, including an NHMRC Medical Research Future Fund grant for the TREAT study on preventing type 2 diabetes through time-restricted eating. She supervises higher degree research students and collaborates extensively with Prof John Hawley, Dr Brooke Devlin, and A/Prof Leah Brennan. Her editorial roles include Topic Editor for Nutrients and reviewer for top journals such as Diabetologia, Obesity, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

She is an active member of professional organizations including Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), ESPEN, EASD, and The Obesity Society, and contributes to grant review panels for Diabetes Australia and NHMRC.