A program incorporating world-class clinical facilities, globally-recognised researchers and educational engagement translating science into cutting-edge clinical and education programs to maximise health and wellbeing.
The CPC RPA Health for Life Program is a partnership between the University of Sydney Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Local Health District (SLHD). The program is designed to promote healthy lifestyle and to support residents of New South Wales (NSW) across the lifespan, in their journey to live and age well.
This program is led by a team healthcare professionals, including, dietitian, exercise physiologist, and a chef with expertise in healthy cooking. Participants gain understanding and practical knowledge about evidence-based strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and work towards enhancing their metabolic health, fitness, and overall wellbeing.
While chronic diseases are the primary drivers of illness and death, and they exert significant economic and societal burdens, it is important to note that they are largely avoidable with appropriate prevention and management.
Our vision is to educate the public about the importance of integrating lifestyle elements such as healthy cooking, optimal nutrition, regular exercise, into their daily routines.
Starting these healthy habits early in life can greatly improve health and help prevent, manage, and sometimes even treat metabolic health problems.
Teaching people about health early in life is important for long-term wellbeing. Even though we know a lot about how nutrition, exercise, sleep and brain health affect our bodies, these topics are often not taught enough in schools and even medical training.
Through this initiative, we work with schools across New South Wales to strengthen preventative health education. The aim is to help students gain practical knowledge and skills that link food and lifestyle choices to personal health.
CPC RPA Health for Life: Recipes for longevity and healthy living is a series of video recipes created by our team and led by our chef-in-residence, Mark Hamilton. The recipe videos are built around our clinical, research, culinary and education experts developing resources for healthy longevity.
Academic Director, CPC-RPA Clinic
Director, CPC RPA Health for Life Program
Professor Luigi Fontana is an internationally-recognised physician scientist and one of the world’s leaders in the field of nutrition, metabolism and healthy longevity in humans. His pioneering studies on the effects of dietary restriction in humans have opened a new area of nutrition-related research that holds tremendous promise for the prevention of age-related chronic diseases and for the understanding of the biology of human aging.
Professor Fontana has published over 140 manuscripts in prestigious journals including Science, Nature, Cell, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA and is the recipient of several prestigious awards.
Healthy Longevity Chef, Charles Perkins Centre
Chef, CPC RPA Health for Life Program in 2026
Mark Hamilton is a professional chef with extensive experience in food education and community programs. He has worked with organisations including OzHarvest and the Jamie Oliver program, where he facilitated cooking workshops and demonstrated practical recipes designed to make healthy, accessible food achievable for a wide range of people. Through these roles, Mark has helped participants build confidence in cooking while learning simple skills that support healthier eating.
Mark brings strong practical knowledge of food preparation and enjoys sharing clear, approachable techniques that encourage people to cook more at home. In his personal time, he produces small-batch preserves and pickles, reflecting his interest in traditional food preparation and reducing food waste. He also has a strong interest in the Mediterranean diet and the role of fresh, seasonal ingredients in supporting long-term health. Mark contributes his culinary experience and practical teaching style to programs such as Health for Life.
Specialist Dietician and Resarch Support Lead | CPC RPA Health for Life Program
Shadia Djakovic is our Specialist Dietitian and Research Support Lead at the CPC RPA Health for Life Program bringing extensive experience in nutrition and health promotion to the team. As an accredited practising dietitian, Shadia has contributed to advancing evidence-based nutrition practice, particularly focusing on food systems, food labelling, and nutrition in schools. She supports the Health for Life Program and assists researchers at the CPC RPA Clinic by facilitating clinical trials and providing guidance on implementing impactful clinical research.
In her previous role, Shadia championed initiatives to transform school nutrition environments as Head of Nutrition at the Healthy Kids Association, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing public health through collaborative nutrition systems.
Education and Outreach Officer
Dr Wooveen Kim is a passionate health care professional with interests in the interrelationship between metabolic health, inflammation and lifestyle-related chronic disease. Board-certified through the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine and with further training in metabolic health medicine, Wooveen strongly values compassionate inquiry and patient advocacy to steer modern clinical practice towards equal prioritisation of proactive, preventive health measures and see revival of a fatiguing reactive care system.
Senior Exercise Physiologist and Research Support Lead
Kate Williamson is the Senior Exercise Physiologist at the CPC RPA Health for Life Program, playing a key role in promoting health and driving positive behaviour change through evidence-based physical activity and exercise interventions. Kate has a strong background in clinical and research settings, supporting the delivery of the Health for Life Program while also assisting researchers at the CPC RPA Clinic in facilitating clinical trials and integrating effective clinical research practices.
The CPC RPA Health for Life Program is supported by the Australian Youth and Health Foundation (promoting the philosophy and practice of natural health).
The CPC RPA Health for Life Program is a partnership between the University of Sydney Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Local Health District.
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Phone: +61 2 8627 1616
Email: info.perkins@sydney.edu.au
John Hopkins Drive, Camperdown NSW 2006
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
