Dr. van der Pligt is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian with several years’ experience working across the public and private healthcare sectors. She is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition at Deakin University and researcher in the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). Her research primarily targets the link between pregnancy nutrition and the impact on maternal and neonatal health and disease (gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease). Her work explores opportunities for improved access to effective nutrition education and antenatal healthcare systems in Australia.