I love food, science and helping people.

I worked on an MS research project during the first year of my postdoc. I found that there is a strong patient need to have support and advice on evidence-based dietary recommendations for self-managing their diets. However, limited research has been done in this area. It makes me want to develop a tool to support them to self-manage their food choices based on evidence.

Exciting developments in MS research are the increasing recognition of modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise in relation to MS symptom management and disease progression.

This project will focus on combining various novel models of machine learning with over 17 years of dietetic practice from our research team to develop a state-of-the-art dietary tracking tool. It will allow users to easily track their food intake by simply taking a picture of their food.

This project will focus on using recent breakthroughs in machine learning to develop a state-ofthe- art dietary tracking tool for use by people living with MS. It will be integrated into an app for tailored dietary advice for people living with MS. This relatively effortless tool will enhance the user’s self-efficacy and esteem, reduce stress, improve coping skills and improve general quality of life, with lower costs and greater availability for people who are living with MS.

My favourite thing about being a dietitian and a researcher is to translate the evidence into food choices, which can help people improve their diet to become healthier and stay healthy. I am constantly trying to find new ways to empower people with tools to manage their diet and health. I enjoy the challenges I face during conducting my research.