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DrLeni Rivera

Senior Lecturer

Faculty of Health/School of Medicine/Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation

Orcid identifier0000-0002-8334-4479 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer
    Faculty of Health/School of Medicine/Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation
  • +61 3 522 72838 (Work)
  • Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 

The gut plays a central role in health, influencing metabolism, immunity, brain function and disease risk. My research program investigates how diet, the gut microbiome and environmental factors interact to shape gastrointestinal and metabolic health, with the goal of developing evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage chronic disease.

 

My research group integrates pre-clinical models and human studies to understand how disruptions in intestinal barrier function, nutrient sensing and host-microbiome interactions contribute to metabolic dysfunction. Using physiological, microbiological and molecular approaches, we investigate how these interconnected systems influence disease development, progression and response to intervention.

 

A major focus of my research program is understanding how dietary patterns and food components regulate gut health. This includes examining the role of bioactive compounds, particularly phytonutrients, and how interactions between the food matrix, gut microbiota and host physiology influence bioavailability, biological activity and individual responses. My laboratory also investigates how highly processed diets alter intestinal structure and microbial composition, and how these effects can be mitigated through targeted dietary, lifestyle and microbiome-based interventions.

 

A complementary research stream within my group examines early-life and intergenerational influences on health. This includes understanding how maternal metabolic health and its treatment shape offspring gut function, microbiome development and long-term disease risk, providing insight into opportunities for early prevention and intervention.

 

Through this work, my research program generates translational evidence that supports the development of nutrition and microbiome-based approaches to improve gastrointestinal and metabolic health. By combining mechanistic discovery with real-world application, my group aims to address the growing burden of chronic disease and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

 

GRANTS

  • FELLOWSHIP
    Targeting bile acid receptors for the treatment of intestinal motility disorders and pain
    15 Jun 2015 - 31 Dec 2016
    People funded by this grant:
    • Leni Rivera
    NHMRC ECF - Early Career Fellowship - APP1053593 - $119,671.25
  • COMPETITIVE GRANT
    Neural control of colorectal function and identification of sites of drug action
    National Health and Medical Research Council1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Furness J,
    • Rivera L
    Project Grant APP1079739; $363,000