
Dr Andrea Phillipou
Head, Swinburne Anorexia Nervosa (SWAN) Research Group
- Faculty of Health, Arts & Design
- School of Health Sciences
- Centre for Mental Health
- AMDC907 Hawthorn campus
Biography
Dr Andrea Phillipou is a Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University, and holds honorary positions in the Departments of Psychiatry at The University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital and the Austin Hospital. She leads the Swinburne Anorexia Nervosa (SWAN) Research Group, and the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Portfolio at St Vincent's Hospital.
Dr Phillipou completed her PhD entitled 'Investigating the neurobiological and cognitive features of anorexia nervosa' at The University of Melbourne in 2015. She has since published 68 peer-reviewed journal articles and 2 book chapters, and has received over $1 million in competitive research funding, including a recent NHMRC Project Grant (CIA). Her research has also been presented on over 100 occasions at national and international conferences, and has been featured in the media on over 70 occasions.
Dr Phillipou’s research uses comprehensive neurobiological, biological, psychological and sociocultural methods (neuro-bio-psycho-social methods) and is focused predominantly on three distinct but related streams:
1- Understanding the factors and mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa,
2- Developing tools (e.g. biomarkers) that can be used for more accurate diagnosis, early intervention and prevention of anorexia nervosa, and
3- Developing more effective treatments for anorexia nervosa.
Dr Phillipou is experienced in the use of various methodologies including the use of psychiatric, psychological, neurocognitive and physiological assessments, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and neurostimulation. She holds particular expertise in eye movement assessments and eyetracking, as well as visual perception and neuroscience.
In 2017, Dr Phillipou established the Body Image & Related Disorders (BIRD) Conference. The 3rd biennial conference will be held in late 2021.
If you are interested in participating in research related to anorexia nervosa, please contact Dr Phillipou via email or phone, or use the following link to read more about some of our current studies: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/mental-health/participate-in-research/
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help fund our research in anorexia nervosa, please contact Dr Phillipou.
To find out more about Dr Phillipou's research, please use the links below:
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=q8hQjxIAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrea_Phillipou2
Research interests
Neuroscience; Neuropsychiatry; Biopsychosocial; Cognition; Anorexia Nervosa; Eating Disorders; Body Image; Eye Movements; Eye Tracking; Biomarkers; Neuroimaging; Brain Stimulation
PhD candidate and honours supervision
Higher degrees by research
Accredited to supervise Masters & Doctoral students as Principal Supervisor.
Honours
Available to supervise honours students.
Fields of Research
- Neurosciences - 110900
- Psychology - 170100
Awards
- 2019, Swinburne, Vice Chancellor's Research Excellence Award - Early Career - Individual, Swinburne University of Technology
- 2019, Swinburne, Emerging Researcher Award, Swinburne University of Technology
- 2018, National, Knowledge & Learning Travel Grant, Ian Potter Foundation
- 2018, International, Journal of Eating Disorders Best Poster by a Young Investigator, Eating Disorders Research Society
- 2017, Swinburne, First Prize, Early Career Researcher Presentation Award, Swinburne University of Technology
- 2016, International, Early Career Investigator International Travel Fellowship Award, Society of Biological Psychiatry
- 2015, Other, David Hay Memorial Fund Award, The University of Melbourne
- 2012, National, Australian Postgraduate Award, The University of Melbourne
Publications
Also published as: Phillipou, Andrea; Phillipou, A.
This publication listing is provided by Swinburne Research Bank. If you are the owner of this profile, you can update your publications using our online form.
Recent research grants awarded
- 2020: The gut microbiome and depression in anorexia nervosa *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
- 2020: Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
- 2019: Establishing a biomarker for anorexia nervosa *; NHMRC Project Grants
- 2019: Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
- 2018: Identifying the physical and psychological factors involved in poor sleep in anorexia nervosa *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
- 2018: The impact of depression on the cardiovascular and autonomic profile in people with anorexia nervosa *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
- 2018: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Anorexia Nervosa *; Swiss Anorexia Nervosa Foundation Fund Scheme
- 2018: Travel to European Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) 2018 *; Centre for Mental Health - Internal contributions
- 2017: An investigation of neurocognitive abnormalities in anorexia nervosa. *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
- 2017: Investigating the relationship between glutathione, mood and memory *; Barbara Dicker Brain Science grant
* Chief Investigator
Recent media
- 2020-11-24: COVID has presented unique challenges for people with eating disorders. They’ll need support beyond the pandemic - The Conversation
- 2020-06-09: Investigating the effects of COVID-19 on eating and exercise behaviours - Swinburne University News
- 2020-06-06: Fitness A Stretch In Isolation - Herald Sun
- 2019-12-06: KISS FM News with Clare Todhunter - KISS FM
- 2019-02-28: Remove 'underweight' from anorexia diagnosis: eating disorder expert - The Age
- 2018-12-31: 3AW News with Donna Domaio - 3AW
- 2018-12-31: A Melbourne researcher is hopeful a breakthrough in diagnosis and treatment for anorexia is finally within reach - Ten News First
- 2018-12-31: Beyond just body issues: Melbourne researcher to lead national push to better understand anorexia nervosa - Herald Sun
- 2018-12-31: Live interview: Breakfast with Meshel Laurie - ABC Radio
- 2018-12-31: Live interview: Drive with Nick McCallum - 3AW
- 2018-12-31: Support for anorexia nervosa medical research - Minister for Health, The Hon. Greg Hunt - Media Release
- 2018-12-31: The Project - Channel 10
- 2018-10-18: How 'mad' are you? - SBS
- 2015-01-27: Study linking eye movements to anorexia hailed as groundbreaking - SBS World News
- 2015-01-26: Anorexia revealed in ‘jerky’ eyes, says study - The Age
- 2015-01-26: Anorexia sufferers see things differently - Swinburne University News
- 2015-01-26: Vic research discovers anorexia ‘marker’ - Australian Associative Press