The director of the Lipid Research Centre at UOW’s School of Medicine, took out the top gong at the annual Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) conference in Melbourne.

The prestigious NSA Medal is awarded to an Australian nutrition scientist with an outstanding track record in the field of animal or human nutrition who is currently highly active in his or her field of endeavour.

Professor Meyer, who is best known for her research on the intakes and health benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, said it was an honour to have her work acknowledged by her peers.

“This award has really recognised a lot of the work I have done with regard to Australian intakes of omega-3s and their relation to health,’’ she said.

“My research on the Australian intakes of omega-3s has informed the National Health and Medical Research Council on suggested dietary targets for optimal health.’’

One strand of Professor Meyer’s research, conducted in collaboration with Dr Dilys Freeman from the University of Glasgow, concerns the role of omega-3s in pregnancy. “A lot of what I have done has been looking at omega-3s not only in normal pregnancy but also with complicated pregnancies, like pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction,’’ she said. Prof Meyer has also conducted research into the effects of omega-3 supplements on aggressive behaviour in prison populations.

“The study showed that prisoners with low blood levels of omega-3s had higher levels of aggressive behaviour, and also Attention Deficit Disorder, and conversely, men with high levels of omega-3s had lower levels of aggressive behaviour.’’

Prof Meyer had double reason to celebrate in Melbourne after her PhD student Lauren Roach, won the best student oral presentation award.

“They had 75 students there from around Australia, and out of those, roughly half had oral presentations so she did really well,’’ she said.