Meet Dr Brooke Devlin, an advanced accredited practising dietitian, advanced sports dietitian, and Lecturer in UQ’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences.
With a background in both exercise science and dietetics, Brooke is passionate about the dynamic and evolving field of sports nutrition, where science meets performance.
“I’ve always been interested in nutrition and exercise – both personally and professionally," she says.
"That curiosity led me to a career path where I could combine my love for being physically active with my desire to help others through science-based nutrition strategies.”
Brooke’s dedication to education is evident in her long-standing commitment to shaping future dietitians.
“I’ve been teaching in higher education since 2012, and I’m passionate about guiding the next generation to make a real impact," she says.
"Watching students grow into confident professionals is incredibly rewarding.”
I’m passionate about educating future dietitians. Watching students grow, develop their skills, and make their own impact in the field is incredibly rewarding.
What is an advanced sports dietitian?
Advanced sports dietitians specialise in optimising athletes’ performance through tailored nutrition strategies.
“Sports dietitians play a crucial role in educating future professionals about how diet can enhance athletic performance,” says Brooke.
“We focus on fuelling and recovery strategies that not only improve training and competition outcomes but also promote long-term health.”
With a deep understanding of the unique nutritional demands of athletes and active individuals, sports dietitians design specific eating plans based on training schedules, performance goals, and health needs.
“Being in this field allows me to share my knowledge of diet and exercise with aspiring sports dietitians, ensuring they understand how to help athletes achieve their best performance through effective nutrition,” says Brooke.
Shaping tomorrow’s sports nutrition experts
As a Lecturer at UQ, Brooke leads the teaching of Sports Nutrition, coordinating key courses like ‘Nutrition and Exercise’ and ‘Sports Nutrition.’
“I love teaching sports nutrition because it’s such a dynamic field,” she says.
“My aim is to make learning both engaging and memorable, while ensuring students grasp the real-world applications.”
Brooke’s teaching philosophy centres on several key principles:
- creating an enjoyable learning environment
- fostering respect and honesty
- staying adaptable to student needs.
“I believe flexibility is essential – I constantly evaluate what works and adjust my approach," she says.
"Lifelong learning is also important, and I invest in my own development to enhance the student experience.”
True to her relaxed style, she adds, “A little humour goes a long way!”
Beyond the classroom, Brooke mentors students through the Professional Futures Peer Mentoring program, helping them build connections and prepare for their careers.
“I’m passionate about educating future dietitians. Watching students grow, develop their skills, and make their own impact in the field is incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Leading critical research
Brooke’s research interests focus on dietary behaviours and interventions aimed at improving health and performance.
“My research spans sports nutrition for performance, diet and exercise interventions for clinical populations, and understanding what drives long-term adherence to these interventions,” she says.
Whether she’s investigating how specific diets can improve athletic performance or exploring the barriers to maintaining a healthy diet, Brooke’s research is about making a practical difference.
“I want to understand what keeps people on track with their nutrition and exercise goals over the long term, whether they’re athletes or simply looking to improve their health.”
The evolving landscape of dietetics
Brooke is optimistic about the expanding role of dietitians in various industries.
“Traditionally, dietitians have worked in clinical settings, but now they can be found in all sorts of places – sporting organisations, public health, the food industry, and even in the media," she says.
"It’s exciting to see how diverse the career paths are becoming.”
Brooke emphasises the importance of staying up to date with new trends and research.
“The science of nutrition is always evolving, and that’s what makes it such an exciting field to be in. As professionals, we need to be adaptable and open to change.”
As the need for evidence-based nutrition advice continues to grow, Brooke believes that the role of accredited practising dietitians will be more important than ever, particularly with the rise of misinformation on social media.
“There’s so much nutrition misinformation out there," she says.
"Accredited dietitians are vital in providing accurate, evidence-based advice to ensure people get the reliable guidance they need."
As the demand for trustworthy, science-based nutrition advice grows, Brooke believes dietitians will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the future of health and wellbeing.
And with sports nutrition continuing to expand as an exciting specialty within the field, she is confident that dietitians will have even greater opportunities to make an impact, helping athletes and active individuals optimise their health and performance.
Excited to start your career in sports nutrition?
