05 June 2026
Professor Felice Jacka OAM, Deakin Distinguished Professor and Director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University, has been named the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards Laureate for Asia and the Pacific.
Professor Jacka is recognised for pioneering nutritional psychiatry, a field that examines the relationship between diet, nutrition, mental health and brain health. Over decades of research, she has helped transform global understanding of food as a powerful, modifiable factor in mental wellbeing. Her work has shown that diet quality is linked not only to physical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, but also to depression, anxiety and brain health, helping to shift mental health care toward a more holistic, evidence-based approach.
Her leadership has helped establish diet and nutrition as important risk factors and treatment targets for common mental disorders. Through research, training, public resources and advocacy, Professor Jacka has influenced clinical psychiatry guidelines in Australia and internationally and contributed to policy conversations around the world. She is also a leading voice on the links between human health, planetary health, food systems and microbial diversity.
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards recognise five outstanding women scientists each year, one from each major global region, celebrating research excellence and the vital role of women in advancing scientific progress. In 2026, the awards honour pioneering researchers in life and environmental sciences.
Professor Jacka’s selection as the Asia and Pacific Laureate is a significant moment for Australian science and for the Australia and New Zealand For Women in Science community. Her work has opened a new frontier in mental health research and practice, demonstrating how scientific discovery can challenge assumptions, improve care and create meaningful change for communities worldwide. It also offers inspiration to emerging scientists across our region who are building careers with impact.