Metabolic Initiative Collaboration Grants 2025

Established in 2025, the Metabolic Initiative was created to harness the Centre’s leadership, expertise and networks in metabolic disease research.

The program is designed to foster collaborative, evidence-based research and education, with a particular focus on Western Sydney.

The Collaboration Grants support innovative projects that address some of the most urgent challenges in metabolic health.

Collaboration Grants 2025

The inaugural Collaboration Grants 2025 awardees - Ms Eve House, Dr Natalie Lister, Dr Nick Norris, Ms Victoria Silvestro and Dr Kathryn Williams - have each been awarded Grants to support their projects ranging from eating disorder screening for adults with severe obesity to identifying insulin-resistance markers to aid treatment, and the real costs of severe obesity in those waiting for care. 

Supporting the objectives of the Initiative

The Collaboration Grants provide up to five $20,000 awards to projects that are co-led by researchers from different campuses, faculties or schools, including at least one based in Greater Western Sydney. Each project will deliver a distinct research or education outcome at the end of the funding period.

Professor Louise Baur AM, Lead of the Metabolic Initiative, said the Grants were designed to bring researchers together across disciplines and locations.

“The Metabolic Initiative Collaboration Grants were established to encourage multidisciplinary research among early- and mid-career researchers working across University of Sydney precincts, with a particular focus on Western Sydney.

We are delighted to see so many high-quality applications and look forward to seeing the outcomes over the months and years ahead," she said.

Looking ahead

The Grants are part of a wider program of activity under the Metabolic Initiative, which includes building new partnerships with researchers, clinicians and decision-makers, and hosting the inaugural Metabolic Initiative Research Forum in mid-2026.

Launch

The Charles Perkins Centre Metabolic Initiative will have its official launch at the Westmead campus on Wednesday 26 November 2025, hosted by Professor Louise Baur AM.

It’s an opportunity to learn more about the Initiative’s mission and projects, meet the collaboration group, discuss potential collaborations, celebrate the Collaboration Grant 2025 winners, and network with colleagues from across the University, Westmead and Nepean working in the metabolic health arena.

2025 Grant recipients and projects

Ms Eve House

Enhancing eating disorder screening procedures for treatment-seeking adults with severe obesity
Ms Eve House's project addresses a long-standing challenge in identifying eating disorders among people with severe obesity. Improved screening will inform better treatment approaches and models of care.

Dr Natalie Lister

Predicting metabolic and mental health outcomes in obesity treatment
Dr Natalie Lister's study investigates the biological and psychological predictors of treatment response in adolescents with obesity, a critical issue for Western Sydney.

Dr Nick Norris

Investigating the role of ZIP8 in pancreatic beta-cell function, hyperinsulinaemia and type 2 diabetes
Dr Nick Norris's project brings together expertise across University of Sydney campuses, this project seeks tissue-specific markers of insulin resistance to guide more personalised diabetes treatment.

Ms Victoria Silvestro

Digital versus dietitian: Can an app empower smarter self-management?
Ms Victoria Silvestro's project tests a digital coaching model centred on continuous glucose monitoring data, exploring scalable, sustainable strategies to improve dietary management for people with type 2 diabetes.

Dr Kathryn Williams

The cost of severe obesity in those waiting for care
Dr Kathryn Williams's study will deliver urgently needed evidence on the needs of Australians awaiting treatment for severe obesity, providing a strong basis for advocacy on subsidised treatment access.