PhD candidate Copeland Winten, a Queensland-based clinical dietitian and QUT psychology researcher, has been awarded a prestigious 2026 Fulbright Scholarship, recognising her impactful work in taking a multidisciplinary approach to eating disorder treatment.
Ms Winten's clinical practice has long focused on mental health and eating disorders, an area she believes has historically underutilised dietitians.
"The intersection of nutrition treatment with counselling skills allows me to build relationships with patients. This work has the ability to change their lives for the better," she said.
Her approach centres on clinically meaningful, relationship-driven care, combining evidence-based nutrition therapy with psychological insight. It was this commitment to addressing unmet clinical needs that led Ms Winten to pursue a PhD at QUT in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.
While working in clinic, she encountered patients with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and quickly realised that Australian research and treatment guidelines were lacking.
"This gap needed to be addressed, which led me to apply for a PhD, to build the evidence base in Australia," Ms Winten said.
Her research on ARFID focuses on bridging dietetics and psychological care, an approach she says is essential for effective treatment.
"I believe the clinically relevant and practical aspects of my research mean real change is foreseeable. A transdisciplinary approach is best practice for treatment and management, and my skill set as a clinical dietitian and research psychologist enables me to bring unique perspectives," she said.
The protocol she will develop during her Fulbright aims to support patients transitioning from tube feeding to oral nutrition, enabling them to engage in cognitive behavioural therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR).
Importantly, she said, the work will be scalable beyond Queensland, with global relevance.
The Fulbright will take Ms Winten to the United States, where she will collaborate with leading experts at the Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program (EDCRP) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
She first connected with the team in 2023 after becoming the first dietitian to be awarded their Summer Research Fellowship and has since worked closely with Professor Jennifer Thomas who acted as one of her PhD supervisors.
"Their research on ARFID and as the creators of CBT-AR cannot be found anywhere else. Their level of expertise is needed in Australia, so I want to absorb as much as possible," Ms Winten said.
Beyond the program itself, Ms Winten is excited by the broader research ecosystem offered through Harvard University.
"The EDCRP team and the larger Harvard Medical School and Mass Gen community is so vast," she said.
"The scale of the university and hospital means there are different avenues of research and clinical care that I would never have considered that could improve the lives of individuals with ARFID."
Prepared by a PhD encompassing clinical trials, meta-analyses and qualitative research into lived experience, Ms Winten sees the Fulbright as both a professional milestone and a personal adventure - complete with hopes for a white Christmas in Boston.
For emerging researchers considering international opportunities, her advice is simple: apply.
"Reaching out to international researchers or applying to programs can be very reflective and help you understand yourself as a researcher and clinician," she said.
"Even if it doesn't come to fruition, you'll better understand your goals or interests and can try again."
Main photo (left to right): Copeland Winten and Victoria Roberts, Chief of Staff for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), US Department of State.
