HEALTHIER FOOD RETAIL
Professor Anna Peeters AM, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, VicHealth, Victoria, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Melbourne, Australia | July 2026
Professor Anna Peeters AM is a globally recognised public health leader whose career has spanned academia, policy and health system reform, with a strong focus on prevention and health equity. She is the CEO of VicHealth, bringing decades of experience in epidemiology, population health and evidence-based health promotion.
Prior to her appointment as CEO, Professor Peeters was Director of the Institute for Health Transformation at Deakin University and a Professor of Epidemiology and Equity in Public Health. In this role, she led multidisciplinary research addressing major health challenges including obesity, chronic disease, health system sustainability and health outcome inequities. She has also held leadership roles at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and the Australia and New Zealand Obesity Society and has contributed to national and international advisory bodies.
Professor Peeters is widely recognised for her research into obesity prevention, food systems and the social determinants of health. She established the world-first RE-FRESH Centre of Research Excellence in healthier food retail environments, advancing practical solutions to improve population diets and reduce health inequities. Her work has consistently focused on translating evidence into policy and real-world impact at scale.
A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and a Member of the Order of Australia, Professor Peeters continues to shape prevention systems through a strong emphasis on equity and collaboration.
Source: Supplied
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Newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism
Assoc Prof Jack is passionate about the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents, with diverse research areas including the impacts of family friendly workplace initiatives, screening and management of thyroid disorders in infants and children. She supports her First Nations colleagues on Indigenous-led research projects funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, aiming to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations Children. Through her clinical and academic roles, Assoc Prof Jack hopes to make a positive difference to the health and well-being of children and their families.
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Dr Kelly-Anne Masterman
RESEARCH IN NEEDLE-FREE VACCINE DELIVERY SYSTEM
@ VAXXAS, BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA -
Elite athlete physical and mental health impact performance
Understanding the interaction between genes and lifestyle factors in response to stress can lead to potential therapeutic interventions for stress-related disorders. This research is crucial for promoting health and well-being.
Professor Mehta has recently commenced research into elite athlete physical and mental health impact performance, with research at the intersection of statistics, genomics, and mental health. This research is ahead of, and in anticipation of, the Summer Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.
