Professor brings Kiwi voice to international health organisation

10 November 2025

Professor Indrawati Oey was recently appointed as a Councillor of the International Society for Precision Health (ISPH).

ISPH is supported by the United Nations (UN) and led by UN Goodwill Ambassador Professor Chin-Kun Wang. Its mission is to connect various scientific communities to promote and advance the application on food, nutrition and health by using artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analysis.

“I’m truly honoured to be appointed as a Councillor,” says Prof Oey.

This appointment recognises Prof Oey’s leadership in food and nutrition research and her contribution to advancing science at the intersection of health and technology. She will serve a three-year term, and is the only New Zealander of 62 representatives.

The announcement was made during the 2025 Joint International Conference on Nutritional Fortification in Taipei, Taiwan from 18-19 October. The conference was co-organised by ISPH and the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research (ISNPR).

The event brought together pioneers, researchers, policymakers, and health professionals to engage in meaningful dialogue under the themes of Disease Prevention, Nutrition Intervention, and Big Data Application.

Prof Oey presented her research on enhancing protein and fibre in wheat-based products, and exploring the implications of using different ingredients such as protein isolates vs concentrates or legume flours. She emphasised the importance of understanding bioavailability within food matrices, especially for nutrients like protein and iron in plant-based foods, rather than evaluating them in isolation.

“This was an inspiring gathering of global experts committed to advancing the science of nutrition, food, and health,” says Prof Oey.