Doctor Talitha Best School of Human, Health and Social Sciences

As a registered psychologist, adjunct research fellow (UniSA) and lecturer in psychology, Talitha’s research and clinical interests focus on the effects of nutrition and bioactive food components to improve mood and neurocognitive function across the lifespan.  In particular, Talitha's research has investigated the effects of plant polysaccharides (plant sugars) on everyday cognitive abilities and well-being in middle-aged adults. With experience in research, clinical practice and industry research and development, Talitha is passionate about bringing science, people and business together to facilitate knowledge transfer and innovation in the research and industry sectors.

Daily Mercury, Mackay QLD (2013) - Don't want to overspend? Eat some nuts

Natural Sugars:2012
Sugar sweet: The Benefits of Natural Sugar - Naturally Australia Magazine 

More about sugars: 2012
Just a spoonful of sugar...UniSA News

Rumour vs Fact:2012
Is sugar really that bad?

Channel 7/Channel 10 - 2008/2009/2010 Research stories on sugars and health

Community Television Channel 31 - 2009/2010-invited guest for intervviews re: arts and science education

Local and State (SA) newspaper stories re: arts and science (2008,2009 and 2010)

Before joining CQU, Dr Talitha Best worked in the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre at the University of South Australia, where she is currently an adjunct Research Fellow. She also worked as a Researcher-in-Business, funded through an initiative of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, to facilitate knowledge transfer between the research and industry sectors in food and nutrition.

With a background in clinical psychology, throughout her postdoctoral research which was conducted across Swinburne University's Centre for Human Psychopharmacology and UniSA,  Talitha’s research and clinical work has focussed onthe effects of certain foods and nutrients can play in cognitive health. 

In particular, she has been lead investigator for a series of publications investigating cognitive and mood effects of plant polysaccharides (plant sugars) in middle-aged adults. Her contribution to cognition and nutrition research has been recognised by international early career research travel awards and invited presentations.

AHPRA: Registered Psychologist, Psychology Board of Australia
SARMAC: Society for Applied Memory and Cognition Research
SANI: South Australian Neuroscience Institute
WIT: Women in Innovation and Technology
WOB: Women on Boards
MAICD: Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors

Lecturer in Psychology

Adjunct Research Fellow - UniSA

• UniSA Distinguished Researcher Award to bring UK, University of Leeds collaborative researcher to Australia for project development (2012).
• Researcher in Business Grant Funding from Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research together with industry funds (2011 and 2012).
• UniSA Early Career International Research Travel Award, awarded by Research and Innovation Services, for research at University of Leeds (2011)
• Industry Project Grant, developed and obtained as lead investigator (2010 and 2011)
• Research write-up and development support, industry grant (2008)
• Postgraduate Research Travel Support”, industry grant (2008)
• Flinders University Research Student Conference Travel Grant (2008)
• PhD Overseas Conference Travel Scholarship (2008)
• Research Maintenance and Development Funding (2006, 2007 and 2008)
• Flinders University Research Scholarship (2004)

Independent adviser to the board for a national non-for-profit organisation, Endowment Australasia (2007-2009)

Australian Ambassador for presentations to the HSBC Board of Trustees (2007)

“Importance of research and translation into commercial applications” (2012) for Complementary Healthcare Council National Conference – Evidence for Change.

“Nutritional Science in CM’s” (2012) for National launch of first business magazine of Complementary Healthcare Council, Sydney

“Food, mood, pain – it’s a brain thing” (2012)for innovative workshop at the International Neuro Orthopaedic Institute(NOI) conference, Adelaide April 26-28

“Saccharides and Cognition” (2012)– National Food Industry Forum Invitation

“Just a spoonful of sugar- saccharides and cognitive performance in middle-aged adults” (2011) Sansom Institute Science presentation, UniSA

“Brains and Nutrition” (2011) – Tri-Nation Science Education Tour with Australian Industry, public science communication presentations to diverse audiences across Singapore, New Zealand and Australian capital cities

“Nutrition and Cognition” (2008 and 2011) Industry International Conference, Texas, general information about field of neuropsychology/nutrition and cognition

Sinnott, R, Maddela, R.L., Bae, S & Best, T. (2013). The Effect of Dietary Supplements on the Quality of Life of Retired Professional Football Players. Global Journal of Health Science, 5(2): 13-26.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2012). Perceived changes in well-being following polysaccharide intake in middle-aged adults. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 7(2), 183-192.

 Nelson, E., Ramberg, J., Best.,T, & Sinnott, R. (2012) Neurologic effects of exogenous saccharides: A review of controlled human, animal, and in vitro studies. Nutritional Neuroscience.doi:10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000004

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2010). Saccharide effects on cognition and mood in middle-aged adults: A randomised controlled trial. Developmental Neuropsychology.35 (1), 66-80.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2009). Association between dietary saccharide intake and self reported memory performance in middle-aged adults. British Journal of Nutrition, 101. 93-99.

Best T., Bryan, J., & Burns, N. (2008). An investigation of saccharides on the memory performance of middle-aged adults. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 12 (9), 657-662.

Best, T., Kemps, E., Bryan, J. (2007). A role for dietary saccharide intake in cognitive performance. Nutritional Neuroscience 10(3-4), 113-120.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2005). Effects of saccharides on brain and cognitive performance. Nutrition Reviews 63 (12), 409-418.

Sinnott, R., Maddela, R., Bae, S., & Best, T. (2012). Dietary Supplementation and the Quality of Life of Retired Football Players. International Society of Sports Nutrition’s 9th Annual Conference, Clearwater Beach, Florida, June 22-23.

Best, T., Howe, P., Bryan, J., Buckley, J. & Scholey, A. (2012). Effects of plant polysaccharides on cognition in middle-aged adults: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. 2nd International Conference on The science of Nutrition in Medicine and Healthcare, Melbourne.

Best, T., Howe, P., Bryan, J., Scholey, A., & Buckley, J. (2011). Effects of a plant polysaccharide supplement on memory and cognition. Presented at the Society for Applied Research in Memory and Cognition's 9th International Conference in New York, New York, June 27-30, 2011.

Best, T., Howe, P., Bryan, J., Buckley, J., & Scholey, A. (2011). Plant polysaccharides, memory and cognition in middle-aged adults. Paper presented at the Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2008). Saccharide supplementation effects for cognition and well-being in middle-aged adults. Paper presented at Nutrition Society of Australia 32^nd Scientific Meeting, Adelaide.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2008). Saccharide effects on cognition and mood in middle-aged adults: a randomised controlled trial. Paper presented at APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists 14^th Annual conference, Adelaide.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2008). Saccharide supplementation effects on cognition and well-being in middle-aged adults. Paper presented at the Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, Fremantle, Australia.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2008). The impact of saccharide supplementation on cognition and mood in middle-aged adults. Poster presented at the 36^th Annual Meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, Waikoloa, Hawaii.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2007). Effects of saccharide supplementation on cognition and mood in mid-life. Paper presented at Australian Association of Gerontology 40th National Conference, Adelaide.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2007). Relationships Between Dietary Saccharide Intake and Self-Reported Health and Psychological Well-Being in Mid-Life. Paper presented at Medicine, Ageing and Nutrition Conference, Adelaide.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2006) Relationship between saccharide intake and memory performance. Poster presented at the International Conference on Memory - 4th, Sydney, Australia.

Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2006). Benefit of dietary saccharide intake to verbal memory performance in middle-aged adults. Paper presented at Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, April 21-23, Brisbane, Australia

Best, T., Bryan, J., & Burns, N. (2005). An investigation of saccharide effects on memory performance. Paper presented at: Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference; April 1-3, Melbourne, Australia

Best, T. (2011). Plant polysaccharides, memory and cognition in middle-aged adults. Proceedings of 38th Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference, The Australian Psychological Society (Ed : A. Polits, V.Mrowinski, N. Voudouris). Pg 5.
Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2008). Saccharide supplementation effects for cognition and well-being in middle-aged adults. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 17 (supp 3), S50
Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2008). Saccharide effects on cognition and mood in middle-aged adults: a randomised controlled trial. Australian Journal of Psychology 60 (supp),211.
Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2007). Effects of saccharide supplementation on cognition and mood in mid-life. Australasian Journal on Ageing 26 (supp 1), A4.
Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2007). Relationships between dietary saccharide intake and self-reported health and psychological wellbeing in mid-life. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 11(5), 404.
Best, T., Kemps, E., & Bryan, J. (2006). Benefit of dietary saccharide intake for verbal memory performance in middle-aged adults. Australian Journal of Psychology 58 (supp), 62.