Andrew McAinch

Professor Andrew McAinch is a prominent academic at Victoria University's College of Sport, Health & Engineering, where he serves as both Professor in Nutrition and Associate Dean Research and Research Training. With over 110 publications in top quartile journals and an h-index of 37, his research has been supported by more than 32 competitive grants totaling over $5 million. His work bridges clinical practice with academic research, leveraging his background as an Accredited Sports Dietitian and Clinical Research Dietitian.

• Professor in Nutrition at Victoria University (2016-present)
• Associate Dean Research and Research Training (2023-present)
• Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Exercise and Health Science journal
• ORCID: 0000-0002-8762-4865

Professor McAinch's research focuses on understanding how the body responds to obesity through cellular, animal, and human interventions, with particular emphasis on dietary fatty acids and endocannabinoid signaling. His laboratory investigates treatment modalities for obesity and associated comorbidities through both pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. As an Accredited Sports Dietitian, he also explores how nutrition can enhance athletic performance and recovery. His work spans from basic science examining G-protein coupled receptors in metabolic health to applied clinical research in dietary monitoring and interventions.

Analysis of Professor McAinch's publication record reveals a consistent focus on metabolic health, with particular emphasis on the role of dietary fats, especially linoleic acid, in obesity and related conditions. His research spans molecular mechanisms (endocannabinoid signaling, GPR receptors) through to population-level studies (Melbourne Collaborative Cohort). Recent work shows increasing attention to maternal nutrition and developmental programming, as well as innovative interventions like neuromuscular electrical stimulation for metabolic health.

• Over $5 million in competitive research funding
• Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Exercise and Health Science
• h-index of 37 with 80% of publications in top quartile journals
• Recipient of multiple industry research partnerships

Professor McAinch has an extensive supervision record, having completed the supervision of 19 PhD students, 1 Masters by Research student, and 12 honors students, while currently supervising 9 PhD candidates. His funded research portfolio includes significant projects such as the Australia-China Collaborative Training Initiative in Exercise (ACTIVE) Research Program (2024-2026), Tissue Fibrosis and Exercise in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (NHMRC-funded, 2019-2024), and multiple industry partnerships with Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group focusing on whey protein research. His supervision topics reflect his research interests, with numerous projects examining dietary interventions, exercise physiology, and metabolic health conditions.

Professor McAinch leads research teams investigating obesity mechanisms, dietary interventions, and exercise physiology, with particular focus on endocannabinoid signaling and G-protein coupled receptors. His work involves both laboratory-based cellular and animal research as well as human clinical trials, often in collaboration with international partners. As Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Exercise and Health Science, he also oversees a growing international research community in this field.