DrLeni Rivera

Dr Leni Rivera is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Sciences at Deakin University and leads the Gut Health Laboratory within the Molecular Medicine Theme of Deakin IMPACT.

Leni is a gastrointestinal physiologist whose research focuses on understanding how diet, the gut microbiome and environmental factors influence gastrointestinal and metabolic health. Her work spans physiology, nutrition and microbiome science, with the goal of developing evidence-based approaches to improve health outcomes and inform clinical, public health and industry practice.

She completed her PhD in Medicine at The University of Melbourne, specialising in autonomic and enteric nervous system physiology. Her early research advanced understanding of enteric neuropathies and the role of the enteric nervous system in gastrointestinal disease. Building on this foundation, she now investigates gut function, microbiome-host interactions and metabolic health using physiological, microbiological and translational approaches. Her research extends across experimental, clinical and industry settings and includes the development of dietary, microbiome-targeted and emerging biotic therapies.

Alongside her research, Leni is an experienced medical educator and research supervisor who is committed to developing future clinicians, researchers and academic leaders. She leads teaching within Deakin's Doctor of Medicine program and mentors students, researchers and colleagues across a range of career stages.