Maria Makrides

Last updated

Professor
Maria Makrides
FAA FAHMS
EducationPh.D., Flinders University
Scientific career
Institutions University of Adelaide
Thesis The role of dietary Omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in tissue composition and visual acuity development of term infants [1]

Maria Makrides is an Australian professor at the University of Adelaide who works on improving women and babies nutritional health. In 2019 she was made a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. [2] She is a professor of human nutrition at the Adelaide Medical School, and a theme leader for the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Women's and Children's Hospital. [3]

Contents

Personal life

Makrides is a Greek-Australian. [4]

Research

Makrides is a dietician, specialising in translational research on the nutrition and health of mothers and babies. [5] She works on health effects of different dietary supplements, including fatty acids and iron during the perinatal period. [2] Makrides work has led to changes in infant formulae as well as improving food laws internationally (Codex Alimentarius). Most recently Maria was part of an international expert advisory group to comment on the composition of follow-up formulas under review by Codex. [6]

Gender equality

Makrides gave a speech on "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Great Women Role Models of my Career" when awarded the first woman for a lifetime achievement award. [7] Makrides also has created a network in South Australia to support South Australian women in STEMM. [8] “We’re trying to provide forums and networking opportunities, sponsorship and mentorship for women working in the sciences to reach their full potential”. “Although individual places have their own programs, it’s sometimes helpful to discuss common issues across institutional boundaries. Being a relatively small state, the more we can do together in a collaborative way becomes helpful for women who are trying to make a career in the sciences”. [8]

Select publications

Makrides is the co-editor of four books, including a textbook in paediatric nutrition, now translated into Chinese, Spanish and Russian. [9] [10] She also leads Trajan Nutrition which has multiple publications on nutritional health. [11] Her publications can be found at Google Scholar. [12] She has over 160 publications including in journals such as JAMA. [13]

Awards

Media

Related Research Articles

Omega−3 fatty acids, also called omega−3 oils, ω−3 fatty acids or n−3 fatty acids, are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) characterized by the presence of a double bond three atoms away from the terminal methyl group in their chemical structure. They are widely distributed in nature, being important constituents of animal lipid metabolism, and they play an important role in the human diet and in human physiology. The three types of omega−3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA can be found in plants, while DHA and EPA are found in algae and fish. Marine algae and phytoplankton are primary sources of omega−3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA accumulate in fish that eat these algae. Common sources of plant oils containing ALA include walnuts, edible seeds, and flaxseeds as well as hempseed oil, while sources of EPA and DHA include fish and fish oils, and algae oil.

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that are required by humans and other animals for normal physiological function that cannot be synthesized in the body.⁠ As they are not synthesized in the body, the essential fatty acids – alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid – must be obtained from food or from a dietary supplement. Essential fatty acids are needed for various cellular metabolic processes and for the maintenance and function of tissues and organs. These fatty acids also are precursors to vitamins, cofactors, and derivatives, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, lipoxins, and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiona Stanley</span> Australian epidemiologist

Fiona Juliet Stanley is an Australian epidemiologist noted for her public health work, her research into child and maternal health as well as birth disorders such as cerebral palsy. Stanley is the patron of the Telethon Kids Institute and a distinguished professorial fellow in the School of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia. From 1990 to December 2011 she was the founding director of Telethon Kids.

Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish. Fish oils contain the omega−3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), precursors of certain eicosanoids that are known to reduce inflammation in the body and improve hypertriglyceridemia. There has been a great deal of controversy in the 21st century about the role of fish oil in cardiovascular disease, with recent meta-analyses reaching different conclusions about its potential impact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Docosahexaenoic acid</span> Chemical compound

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega−3 fatty acid that is an important component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, and retina. It is given the fatty acid notation 22:6(n−3). It can be synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid or obtained directly from maternal milk (breast milk), fatty fish, fish oil, or algae oil. The consumption of DHA (e.g., from fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines) contributes to numerous physiological benefits, including cognition. As a component of neuronal membranes, the function of DHA is to support neuronal conduction and to allow the optimal functioning of neuronal membrane proteins (such as receptors and enzymes).

Ralph T. Holman was a biochemist whose research focused on lipids and fatty acids, especially the Omega-3 fatty acid. He is regarded as the "Father of Omega-3 fatty acids", coining the term in 1963.

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Only two essential fatty acids are known to be essential for humans: alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid. The biological effects of the ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are mediated by their mutual interactions. Closely related, these fatty acids act as competing substrates for the same enzymes. The biological effects of the ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids are largely mediated by essential fatty acid interactions. The proportion of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in a diet may have metabolic consequences. Unlike omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, omega-9 fatty acids are not classed as essential fatty acids because they can be created by the human body from monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, and are therefore not essential in the diet.

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References

  1. ↑ Makrides, Maria (1994), The role of dietary Omega 3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in tissue composition and visual acuity development of term infants
  2. 1 2 3 "Professor Maria Makrides | Australian Academy of Science". www.science.org.au. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  3. ↑ "Maria Makrides - Professor of Nutrition in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | eMedEvents". www.emedevents.com. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  4. 1 2 Kokkinidis, Tasos (30 November 2022). "Greek Australian Maria Makrides Named 2022 Scientist of the Year". Greek Reporter . Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Pregnancy breastfeeding Review" (PDF).
  6. ↑ "Food Standards - Government of Australia" (PDF).
  7. ↑ Sanford, A. Whitney (15 May 2017), "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants", Living Sustainably, University Press of Kentucky, doi:10.5810/kentucky/9780813168630.003.0003, ISBN   9780813168630
  8. 1 2 "Leading ladies - SA women to watch". www.adelaidenow.com.au. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  9. ↑ "Pediatric Nutrition in Practice" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Maria Makrides". SAHMRI. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  11. ↑ "About Us – Trajan Nutrition" . Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  12. ↑ "Maria Makrides - Google Scholar Citations". scholar.google.com.au. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  13. ↑ "Maria Makrides' Publons profile". publons.com. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  14. ↑ "Australian researcher becomes first woman honoured with special lifetime achievement award". The Lead SA. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  15. ↑ "ISSFAL" (PDF).
  16. ↑ "AAHMS Fellows elected to Australian Academy of Science". AAHMS - Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  17. ↑ "Theme Leader Biography". www.sahmriresearch.org. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  18. ↑ Dayman, Isabel (16 November 2018). "Global breakthrough as Australian research links omega-3 with premature birth prevention". ABC News. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  19. ↑ "Professor Maria Makrides, SAHMRI". The Advertiser. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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