Priya Iyer

Dr. Priya Iyer is a Lecturer in Dietetics and Food Service at the Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, affiliated with the Charles Perkins Centre. Her work bridges clinical practice and academia, focusing on advancing nutritional care for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). With over two decades of clinical experience, she leads research in SCI nutrition, hospital food systems, and rehabilitation models.

Education: Completed Master of Science in Food Science & Nutrition (India, 1996), followed by a PhD focused on improving cardiometabolic health in SCI rehabilitation. Current academic roles include supervising Masters projects on foodservice systems and SCI nutrition datasets.

Research Interests: Prioritizes SCI nutrition, hospital food systems optimization, neurogenic bowel management, and digital solutions for nutrition care. Active in international collaborations with institutions in Nepal, Norway, UK, and USA. Advocates for co-design methodologies involving patients and clinicians.

Awards: Recipient of Gold Medal in Master's (1996) and SCI Research Writing Prize (2021). Contributed to policy documents like NSW Government's Nutrition Fact Sheet for SCI patients and WHO's Neurological Conditions Module.

Grants & Projects: Leads multinational studies on SCI nutrition, spinal rehabilitation food systems, and South Asian dietary behaviors. Collaborates with SLHD and international researchers on translational nutrition projects.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with the Spinal Cord Research Hub, International Spinal Cord Society, and ANZ Spinal Dietitians Network. Actively mentors professionals in nutrition education interventions.