DrHajara Aslam

The overarching aim of my research is to develop gut-targeted nutritional strategies for common mental and metabolic disorders by understanding and targeting the biological pathways linking diet, the gut microbiome, and mental and metabolic health. I lead an emerging translational research program spanning clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and mechanistic research, with a focus on dietary fibre, plant bioactives, and functional foods.

I have secured over $1.3 million in competitive research funding, including an MRFF-funded clinical trial, and approximately $370,000 as Chief Investigator A. I have been awarded an Executive Dean’s Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, multiple competitive grants and the Deakin IMPACT Outstanding PhD Completion Award, and hold a patent relating to a prebiotic formulation.

My research has advanced understanding of diet–microbiome–mental health pathways and their translation into nutritional interventions. I led the RePurpose Trial, developing and evaluating a novel Musa sp. pseudostem-derived nutritional intervention for mental health. Building on this work, my emerging research program integrates nutritional psychiatry, functional food development, gut microbiome science and sustainable agriculture to develop clinically testable and scalable food-based strategies for mental and metabolic health. I also prioritise research capacity building through supervision, mentoring and leadership of multidisciplinary research teams.