Irene Deftereos

Ms Irene Deftereos

Clinical Research Fellow and PhD Student

Irene Deftereos is a Clinical Research Fellow based at Western Health. Following the completion of the Bachelor Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2009, Irene completed the Honours Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2010. Irene has practised as a Clinical Dietitian since 2010, starting her career at Monash Health. Irene has worked at Western Health since 2013 in both the surgical and ICU settings.  Irene has specialised in the field of gastrointestinal surgery,  and was appointed as a senior clinician in 2017.

Irene’s research interests lie with investigation of nutritional optimisation of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal and upper GI cancers and how nutrition can impact on surgical outcomes and quality of life.   Irene has received over $140,000 in research grants as lead investigator, and is currently leading research projects investigating outpatient support pathways for nutitional intervention for patients with Upper Gastointestinal Cancers, in partnership with other health services.

Irene also has a keen interest for education and teaching having completed a Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education through Monash University in 2015.  Irene has supervised Masters and Undergraduate dietetics students for many years and currently supervises MDRP research students and junior clinical researchers within the University of Melbourne and Western Health.

Contact Email:  irene.deftereos@unimelb.edu.au