Nathan D'Cunha
دانشیار · Non-pharmacological interventions for dementia
University of Canberraمعرفی
Dr. Nathan D'Cunha is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra's Nutrition & Dietetics department, and an ACT Health Research and Innovation Fellow. He specializes in non-pharmacological interventions for dementia care, leading the SPICE program - a multicomponent rehabilitation intervention delivered by Canberra Health Services. His research also encompasses intergenerational care models, allied health in residential aged care, and nutritional strategies for healthy ageing.
Education: PhD (2021) focused on engaging activities for people with dementia in residential care. Current roles include membership on the ACT Government's Ministerial Advisory Council for Ageing (MACA) until 2027.
Recent projects include evaluating small-scale residential dementia care models, exploring physical activity's role in younger-onset dementia, and analyzing service gaps in ACT dementia care. He's principal investigator on projects like 'The experience of living and working in small-scale residential dementia care' (2024-2026) and a machine learning-based detection study for younger-onset dementia (2024-2026).
Key research themes include person-centered care, dementia service innovation, and care partner support. His work integrates qualitative methods with program evaluation to drive practical healthcare solutions.
