Professor Mary Wlodek Director

Mary is an inspirational and visionary research leader and executive who makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of women, mothers and infants and aspiring scientists. She has been internationally recognised as a world leader in Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) research. Her research expertise informs global understanding of how early life environments impact lifelong health and disease risk. She is highly respected, recognised and accomplished research fundraiser (~$12million) and researcher (~200 publications). Mary regularly reviews for national/international grant agencies including NHMRC (Investigator and Ideas grant panels). Mary was Professor of Physiology at University of Melbourne for 24 years where she held senior executive roles including as Associate Dean and then Deputy Dean of the Melbourne School of Graduate Research; Coordinator Researcher Development; and Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. She is an experienced committee chair at University of Melbourne and across research disciplines.

With her honorary appointments, Mary leads human lactation research exploring breastfeeding and breast milk composition and production after pregnancy complications and implications for child growth and disease risk across many cohorts including in Singapore, Melbourne and Perth. With a passion for mentoring and career development, Professor Wlodek has delivered numerous Career Development workshops Nationally and Internationally and through “Wlodek Consulting” is coaching small groups and individuals on achieving career success incorporating career-life balance. Mary’s commitment to mentoring has been recognised with prestigious awards at the university and by the Australian Government.