Nutrition Biomed Research Institute
About US
Working to Make Diet Personal and More Precise
Our mission at NBRI is to improve the nutritional management and health status of:
- People with cancer who are undergoing treatment
- Cancer survivors
- Those who want to prevent cancer
Nutrition Biomed Research Institute (NBRI) is dedicated to bringing diet to the forefront in the fight against cancer. Our mission is to raise the importance of the role of nutrition in cancer prevention and management, via research in this field. While it can vary between specific cancer sites, it is generally considered that around 30-35% of all cancers can be attributed to diet. Therefore, we believe that with the promotion of clear and appropriate evidence-based nutritional recommendations, we can help to significantly reduce the incidence of cancer and improve the lives of those affected by the disease.
As a not-for-profit organisation, all of our funding goes directly towards researching potential dietary links to cancer, and we rely on donations from individuals, organisations, and corporations to support our work.
Our team is made up of experts in the fields of nutrition, cancer research, and public health. We work closely with leading researchers and institutions to ensure that our efforts are based on the latest scientific findings which can be translated into beneficial public health messages and clinical practice, to help cancer patients live longer and better quality lives.
See our current and upcoming projects HERE which include research into the future prevention and management of advanced prostate cancer, colorectal, and breast cancers.
NBRI is one of very few nutritional research institutes in Australia or elsewhere that are working to provide the best evidence-based dietary recommendations for cancer patients and other patients with complex chronic disease.
NBRI aims to help fill the gap between clinical practice and large-scale population studies, and to take a more personalised approach to the dietary management of disease.
Thank You To Our Supporters
Our work is made possible through the generous individuals who support our cause and mission.
With their generosity of time, money, and spirit, we can continue to enrich the area of dietary research in the clinical setting.
If you would like to be a part of the work we do, please contact us.
Meet The Board
Financial Advisor
Jon Griffin
B.Ec. CA. Financial Advisor
Jon comes to NBRI with years of experience in the financial sector. Jon holds a Bachelor of Economics, and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1983. Jon is a registered tax agent, registered company auditor and registered self-managed super fund auditor. Other qualifications include Diploma of Financial Services and a Certificate IV Training & Assessment.
He established and is the principal of the accounting firm APL Financial Pty Ltd, providing numerous tax and financial services to small and medium size business throughout Victoria.
Past roles include treasurer and president of the Brighton Beach Primary School and currently honorary treasurer of the Anxiety Recovery Centre of Victoria together with auditor, advisor, committee member of numerous other “not for profit” and “for profit” entities.
Jon comes to NBRI with years of experience in the financial sector. Jon holds a Bachelor of Economics, and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1983. Jon is a registered tax agent, registered company auditor and registered self-managed super fund auditor. Other qualifications include Diploma of Financial Services and a Certificate IV Training & Assessment.
He established and is the principal of the accounting firm APL Financial Pty Ltd, providing numerous tax and financial services to small and medium size business throughout Victoria.
Past roles include treasurer and president of the Brighton Beach Primary School and currently honorary treasurer of the Anxiety Recovery Centre of Victoria together with auditor, advisor, committee member of numerous other “not for profit” and “for profit” entities.
Company Secretary
Kerrie Coll
Kerrie joins NBRI as a company secretary and brings to the role her experience from a long and highly respected career as a bookkeeper, registered BAS Agent, office and finance administrator. Kerrie has not only worked in the IT, construction, manufacturing, and international money transfer industries, but also has a long history of involvement with community-based activities.
Kerrie joins NBRI as a company secretary and brings to the role her experience from a long and highly respected career as a bookkeeper, registered BAS Agent, office and finance administrator. Kerrie has not only worked in the IT, construction, manufacturing, and international money transfer industries, but also has a long history of involvement with community-based activities.
Legal
Edward McDermott
BA (Criminology); B Laws (LLB); GDLP
Edward joins NBRI as one of the two Australian Legal Practitioners from DCM Lawyers. Edward has completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University; a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at Victoria University an international course in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation from the Humboldt University of Berlin and Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training from the College of Law.
Throughout his studies and since being admitted to Practice Law in Victoria, Edward has worked primarily in private legal practice with a focus on individual and small business representation. In 2017, Edward together with his co-board member Graham Chambers, founded their firm DCM lawyers with a focus to provide clients with clear advice and a personalised uncomplicated approach to problem solving.
Edward joins NBRI as one of the two Australian Legal Practitioners from DCM Lawyers. Edward has completed a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University; a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at Victoria University an international course in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation from the Humboldt University of Berlin and Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training from the College of Law.
Throughout his studies and since being admitted to Practice Law in Victoria, Edward has worked primarily in private legal practice with a focus on individual and small business representation. In 2017, Edward together with his co-board member Graham Chambers, founded their firm DCM lawyers with a focus to provide clients with clear advice and a personalised uncomplicated approach to problem solving.
Legal
Graham Chambers
B Soc Sci; B Laws (LLB); GDLP; M App Law.
As a current practising solicitor, Graham provides legal and strategic advice to individuals and small to medium sized businesses. He focuses on the delivery of clear advice to complex problems and holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Science and Law in addition to a Masters in Applied Law.
Graham has practised law in New South Wales and Victoria and is the co-founder of DCM Lawyers. He has spent his career focusing on assisting clients to obtain effective solutions and continues to do so at DCM Lawyers. Graham joined NBRI after a personal family experience with cancer and is committed to applying his problem-solving skills wherever the need arises.
As a current practising solicitor, Graham provides legal and strategic advice to individuals and small to medium sized businesses. He focuses on the delivery of clear advice to complex problems and holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Social Science and Law in addition to a Masters in Applied Law.
Graham has practised law in New South Wales and Victoria and is the co-founder of DCM Lawyers. He has spent his career focusing on assisting clients to obtain effective solutions and continues to do so at DCM Lawyers. Graham joined NBRI after a personal family experience with cancer and is committed to applying his problem-solving skills wherever the need arises.
Medical
Dr Bridget Jones
MBBS
Bridget is a junior doctor who trained at Monash University in Melbourne. Bridget regularly works with both long-term survivors of cancer, and people with newly diagnosed disease undergoing treatment. She will aid in advising on some of the day-to-day advancements and, at times, challenges in current practice in this field. She is excited to follow NBRI through her career as we learn more about how nutrition is an essential part of preventative and therapeutic medicine.
Bridget is a junior doctor who trained at Monash University in Melbourne. Bridget regularly works with both long-term survivors of cancer, and people with newly diagnosed disease undergoing treatment. She will aid in advising on some of the day-to-day advancements and, at times, challenges in current practice in this field. She is excited to follow NBRI through her career as we learn more about how nutrition is an essential part of preventative and therapeutic medicine.
Research
Dr Maree Brinkman
BSc (Nutr), MND (Nutr & Dietetics), PhD (Biomedical Sciences)
Dr. Maree Brinkman is an academic researcher based In Melbourne, Australia who has over 15 years’ experience in clinical practice working as a dietitian to help manage the dietary needs of cancer and other patients with complex chronic disease. Her research interests lay in diet and disease associations, focusing predominantly on aspects of dietary interventions involved in the prevention and management of cancer. Maree currently has over 50 publications in international scientific journals.
Maree completed her Bachelor of Science majoring in Nutrition at Latrobe University, and followed this with a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Deakin University, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium where she worked in research for several years.
Maree was previously an Assistant Professor at the Care and Public Health Research Institute within Maastricht University in The Netherlands, and held an honorary research position at the Cancer Council Victoria in Nutritional Epidemiology.
Maree leads the team of bright young researchers at NBRI with specialist training and experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, and nutrition. `
Dr. Maree Brinkman is an academic researcher based In Melbourne, Australia who has over 15 years’ experience in clinical practice working as a dietitian to help manage the dietary needs of cancer and other patients with complex chronic disease. Her research interests lay in diet and disease associations, focusing predominantly on aspects of dietary interventions involved in the prevention and management of cancer. Maree currently has over 50 publications in international scientific journals.
Maree completed her Bachelor of Science majoring in Nutrition at Latrobe University, and followed this with a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Deakin University, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium where she worked in research for several years.
Maree was previously an Assistant Professor at the Care and Public Health Research Institute within Maastricht University in The Netherlands, and held an honorary research position at the Cancer Council Victoria in Nutritional Epidemiology.
Maree leads the team of bright young researchers at NBRI with specialist training and experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, and nutrition. `
Consumer Advocate and Community Engagement Officer
Phil Jones
Phil has recently retired after a 37 year career in hospitality management. Since retiring Phil has recently completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at Frankston Chisholm T.A.F.E and is currently Treasurer of the Frankston Wine & Food Society.
Phil was Owner / Operator of the Frankston International Motel for 21 years. Prior to the Frankston International Motel, Phil was employed by Touraust Corporation. Starting as a Food & Beverage Manager, Phil progressed to hotel manager of hotels in Hobart, Cairns and Melbourne before accepting the role of Regional General Manager of ten hotels in NSW. As well as overseeing the operations and development of the hotels, Phil was a member of the Steering Committee of the organisation with specific responsibilities as Group manager for Purchasing, Capital Expenditure, Environmental Responsibility, Occupational Health & Safety and Workers Compensation.
Over the years Phil has been heavily involved in the local community. His introduction to the hospitality industry commenced after serving in senior executive roles in local sporting clubs. During his time at the Frankston International, Phil became heavily involved in the community serving on the committees of Frankston Business Chamber, Tourism Frankston, Frankston City Council’s Economic Advisory Committee and the St Thomas More Parish Leadership group.
Phil joined the committee of management of Menzies Caring for kids in 2002, one of Victoria’s longest serving non-for- profit charities. Phil later served as President for two years before retiring as a life member after 11 years of service.
Phil has recently retired after a 37 year career in hospitality management. Since retiring Phil has recently completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at Frankston Chisholm T.A.F.E and is currently Treasurer of the Frankston Wine & Food Society.
Phil was Owner / Operator of the Frankston International Motel for 21 years. Prior to the Frankston International Motel, Phil was employed by Touraust Corporation. Starting as a Food & Beverage Manager, Phil progressed to hotel manager of hotels in Hobart, Cairns and Melbourne before accepting the role of Regional General Manager of ten hotels in NSW. As well as overseeing the operations and development of the hotels, Phil was a member of the Steering Committee of the organisation with specific responsibilities as Group manager for Purchasing, Capital Expenditure, Environmental Responsibility, Occupational Health & Safety and Workers Compensation.
Over the years Phil has been heavily involved in the local community. His introduction to the hospitality industry commenced after serving in senior executive roles in local sporting clubs. During his time at the Frankston International, Phil became heavily involved in the community serving on the committees of Frankston Business Chamber, Tourism Frankston, Frankston City Council’s Economic Advisory Committee and the St Thomas More Parish Leadership group.
Phil joined the committee of management of Menzies Caring for kids in 2002, one of Victoria’s longest serving non-for- profit charities. Phil later served as President for two years before retiring as a life member after 11 years of service.
Governance and Organisational Development
Amanda McDermott
Amanda is an experienced commercial lawyer employed as a Senior Associate at SLF Lawyers. Whilst her personal client base is diverse, her focussed areas of practice are corporate dispute work, shareholder actions and commercial structuring. Amanda is highly skilled in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements for businesses of all sizes but has a particular interest in supporting startups, NFT groups and entertainment and sports law clients. She is also proficient in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Amanda earned multiple academic awards throughout university, including the Supreme Court Prize awarded by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which recognises the highest performing student at each of Victoria’s law schools. Amanda has since been named as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Rising Star of the Year in 2022, and the Rising Star of the Year Private Sector in 2021.
Amanda has shown demonstrable success in high stakes, regulatory enforcement matters including investigations involving ASIC, AFCA and the ATO. She is adept with sensitive client management and has experience in historical abuse cases and other quasi criminal matters.
Chairperson of the SLF Lawyers People Committee, Amanda is recognised to many as an advocate for staff wellbeing and promoting cultural development and fundraising initiatives including in support of SLF’s chosen grass roots charity, Orange Sky.
She has a strong interest in sports of all levels and is a 17 year AFL member of the Carlton Football Club. Amanda has served as a member of the Basketball Victoria Governance-Sub Committee since November 2023.
Amanda was appointed to the board of directors of Basketball Victoria in May 2025.
Amanda is an experienced commercial lawyer employed as a Senior Associate at SLF Lawyers. Whilst her personal client base is diverse, her focussed areas of practice are corporate dispute work, shareholder actions and commercial structuring. Amanda is highly skilled in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements for businesses of all sizes but has a particular interest in supporting startups, NFT groups and entertainment and sports law clients. She is also proficient in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Amanda earned multiple academic awards throughout university, including the Supreme Court Prize awarded by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which recognises the highest performing student at each of Victoria’s law schools. Amanda has since been named as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Rising Star of the Year in 2022, and the Rising Star of the Year Private Sector in 2021.
Amanda has shown demonstrable success in high stakes, regulatory enforcement matters including investigations involving ASIC, AFCA and the ATO. She is adept with sensitive client management and has experience in historical abuse cases and other quasi criminal matters.
Chairperson of the SLF Lawyers People Committee, Amanda is recognised to many as an advocate for staff wellbeing and promoting cultural development and fundraising initiatives including in support of SLF’s chosen grass roots charity, Orange Sky.
She has a strong interest in sports of all levels and is a 17 year AFL member of the Carlton Football Club. Amanda has served as a member of the Basketball Victoria Governance-Sub Committee since November 2023.
Amanda was appointed to the board of directors of Basketball Victoria in May 2025.
Scientific Advisor
Emily Higgs
Emily is a genetic counselor, certified by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia. She has worked as a genetic counselor in the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, and now works in California in one of the largest genetics research laboratories in USA. She is experienced in research ethics and chairs the National Society of Genetic Counselors Research Special Interest Group and Ethics Advisory Group.
Emily is a genetic counselor, certified by the Human Genetics Society of Australasia. She has worked as a genetic counselor in the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, and now works in California in one of the largest genetics research laboratories in USA. She is experienced in research ethics and chairs the National Society of Genetic Counselors Research Special Interest Group and Ethics Advisory Group.
Building Careers
NBRI is passionate about educating the next generation of health professionals and researchers, and we are proud to work in collaboration with universities both nationally and internationally. We invite Masters’ students with training in epidemiology, genetics, nutrition, and biostatistics from all universities to get in touch to discuss placement opportunities.
We have enjoyed previous placements from students of Melbourne, Deakin, and Monash Universities, as well as international institutions such as Maastricht University.
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