معرفی
Professor Thomas Astell-Burt is a Professorial Fellow at the School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Australia. He holds adjunct/ honorary roles at institutions including the University of Sydney and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. As co-founder of the Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), he leads interdisciplinary research on urban environments and health, particularly focusing on green space interventions for noncommunicable disease prevention. His work spans epidemiological analyses, randomized trials (e.g., the PANDA trial for cardiometabolic disease), and policy-oriented studies. Astell-Burt is an ARC Future Fellow (2023–2027) and ranked globally top 1 in green space research. His research explores nature-based solutions for loneliness, sleep, and physical activity, with over 270 publications and significant media engagement.
Research Interests
Thomas investigates how urban environments influence health outcomes, emphasizing:
- Nature contact benefits for mental/physical health
- Social prescribing frameworks
- Green space equity and design
- Prevention of diabetes, dementia, and depression
- GIS-based environmental exposure assessments
Grants & Leadership
Lead investigator on major grants including a $1.5M MRFF-funded PANDA trial and ARC Future Fellowship. Oversees projects like 'Greener Cities Healthier Lives' and 'Nature Prescriptions for Loneliness Reduction'.
Awards
- ARC Future Fellowship (2023–2027)
- NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Leadership Fellowship (2017–2021)
- Expertscape #1 Global Expert in Green Space Research (2013–2023)
Labs & Teams
PowerLab collaborates internationally across universities and governments to advance environmental health science. Current projects address urban green space quality, nature prescribing frameworks, and climate-smart urban design.
