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Deakin Pregnancy Research and Translation Ecosystem
Finding solutions to complex challenges facing pregnancy care
How our research improves maternal and infant health
The Deakin Pregnancy Research and Translation Ecosystem team is a collaborative group of pregnancy care clinicians, community members and researchers working together to develop innovative solutions to challenges facing families throughout pregnancy.
Our priority research areas
Our researchers focus on critical aspects of maternal and infant health to improve outcomes and support families through pregnancy and birth.
Optimising caesarean section rates
We leverage data to enhance maternal and infant outcomes by addressing the high rate of caesarian sections compared to other delivery methods.
Addressing perinatal depression and anxiety
We explore effective strategies to manage and reduce perinatal depression and anxiety, ensuring better mental health support for mothers.
Meeting pregnancy dietary guidelines
We aim to boost adherence to pregnancy dietary guidelines, helping mothers provide the best start for their babies through improved nutritional practices during pregnancy.
Contribute to current and future work
We host regular workshops to foster communication and collaboration among pregnancy care stakeholders across partnered health services. Register to join these events, contribute to ongoing projects and help shape future initiatives.
Our researchers
The Deakin Pregnancy Research and Translation Ecosystem project team of six leading researchers works alongside key stakeholders to explore current issues within pregnancy care.
Professor Peter Vuillermin is part of the Deakin Pregnancy Research and Translation Ecosystem Investigator Group and Director of Research at Barwon Health. His research focuses on the relationship between the modern environment and diet, the microbiome and its metabolites and the early life origins of immune dysregulation, allergic disease and asthma.
Dr Samantha Dawson is an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Food and Mood Centre, where she leads the perinatal nutritional psychiatry stream of research. She investigates how to break the intergenerational cycle of mental disorder by supporting pregnant women to improve their diet quality and subsequent gut health.
Our partnerships
Our groundbreaking work would not be possible without the support of Western Alliance and our dynamic collaborations with partner institutions, including the Food and Mood Centre and the Institute for Health Transformation. We are also proud to be partnered with six dedicated health services across the Barwon, Southwest and Grampians regions, including Barwon Health, Grampians Health and East Grampians Health Service. Together, we’re transforming maternal and infant health through shared expertise and innovative research.
