My Expertise
Dr Olivia Wills’ expertise lies in lifestyle‑related brain health and translation research in multiple sclerosis. Her work focuses on modifiable health behaviours, including nutrition, within multidisciplinary models of care, using qualitative, mixed‑methods, and evidence‑synthesis approaches to inform person‑centred, clinically meaningful interventions. She has particular strength in consumer‑engaged research, implementation of lifestyle evidence into practice, and the development of brain health‑focused care frameworks in neurological conditions.
Fields of Research (FoR)
Clinical nutrition, Nutrition and dietetics, Neurology and neuromuscular diseases, Metabolic medicineBiography
Dr Olivia Wills is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Research Associate at the University of New South Wales, with additional appointments at the University of Wollongong. Her research focuses on modifiable lifestyle behaviours and brain health in multiple sclerosis, using mixed methods to translate research...view more
Dr Olivia Wills is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Senior Research Associate at the University of New South Wales, with additional appointments at the University of Wollongong. Her research focuses on modifiable lifestyle behaviours and brain health in multiple sclerosis, using mixed methods to translate research evidence into practical, person‑centred care. She completed her PhD in 2024 on advancing lifestyle‑related brain health‑focused care for MS. Dr Wills has led multiple peer‑reviewed publications and contributes to national and international MS guideline development, policy initiatives, and clinical education. She is an active member of several MS‑focused research and professional working groups and regularly engages clinicians, people with lived experience, and the wider community through education and advocacy.
My Grants
Dr Wills has been awarded competitive research funding in recognition of the quality, impact, and translational potential of her work in multiple sclerosis and brain health. Her funded research prioritises consumer engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of practical tools to support evidence‑based care.
- Incubator Grant (2026), MS Australia
- Australian Early Career Grant (2026), UOW
- Small Equipment Grant (2025), Health Innovations, UOW
- Consumer Engagement Grant (2024), Health Innovations, UOW
- Higher Degree Research Student Travel Grant (2024), UOW
- Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2022–2024), MS Australia
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship (2021–2022), University of Wollongong
My Qualifications
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)(Dean'sSchol), University of Wollongong 2021
- Doctorate of Philosophy, University of Wollongong 2025
My Awards
Dr Wills has received multiple awards recognising academic excellence, research impact, leadership, and contributions to clinical nutrition and multiple sclerosis research.
Selected Awards and Honours
- Australian Early Career Startup Grant (2026), University of Wollongong
- National Carpe Diem Award (2023), Dietitian’s Connection
- Health Impact Research Cluster Publication Prize (2022, 2023, 2024), University of Wollongong
Awarded for excellence in research publication for the systematic review and meta‑analysis on lifestyle self‑management and quality of life in multiple sclerosis - Dean’s Merit Award (2022), School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong
Awarded for ranking in the top 5% of students - ECTRIMS Winter School Travel Grant (2022)
Awarded for participation in international advanced training on MRI in the diagnosis, management, and research of multiple sclerosis (Barcelona, Spain)
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
Dr Wills welcomes supervision of Honours, Masters, and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students across the following areas:
Primary Areas
- Lifestyle and behaviour change interventions in multiple sclerosis
- Brain health frameworks and outcomes in neurological conditions
- Nutrition and dietetics in neurology and disability
- Translation research and implementation science in healthcare
- Consumer‑engaged and co‑designed health research
Methodological Expertise
- Qualitative research (interviews, focus groups, reflexive thematic analysis)
- Systematic, scoping, and umbrella reviews
- Delphi and consensus‑building methodologies
- Feasibility, acceptability, and pilot intervention studies
- Clinical trial support and intervention delivery (nutrition‑focused)
Broader Supervision Interests
- Multidisciplinary models of care in chronic disease management
- Health professional perspectives on lifestyle counselling and care delivery
- Self‑management and behaviour adoption across the disease trajectory
- Nutrition guideline development and policy‑informed research
Dr Wills has experience co‑supervising Bachelor, Honours, Masters, medical, and allied health research projects, and values collaborative, student‑centred supervision that integrates methodological rigour with real‑world clinical and policy relevance.