

Eating Disorder Genetics Initiative 2 (EDGI2) digital media kit
EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEST, TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
MEDIA ALERT
EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEST, TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
Lisa Curry AO to lead national call for 4,000+ adult volunteers
for world’s largest genetics study on eating disorders
Triple Olympian Lisa Curry AO will front a national appeal next
Tuesday, May 20, for 4,000+ adults with lived experience of an
eating disorder, to join the world’s largest genetics investigation into
the risk factors driving these complex illnesses.1
The study will strive to pinpoint the hundreds of genes influencing a
person’s risk of developing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa,
binge-eating disorder and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
(ARFID), to improve treatment, and save lives.
Ms Curry’s appeal for study volunteers, in partnership with researchers,
doctors and patients Australia-wide will coincide with the publication
of an article in MJA Insight+, revealing how the complex interplay of
genetic, environmental and psychological factors in eating disorders,2
has hindered effective treatment breakthroughs.3
The Aussie sporting legend, mother-of-three, grandmother-to-three,
wellness entrepreneur and author is supporting the genetics study due to the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Jaimi, 33, who was trapped in an eating disorder for 18 years.
“Too little is known about eating disorders, which affect over a million Australians.4
“Individuals and families affected deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work,” said Ms Curry.
“This investigation will unite global experts to unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders.”
To learn more about the investigation striving to decode the genetics of eating disorders to identify risk, and transform treatment, tee up an interview with a spokesperson overleaf.
Volunteers can head to edgi2.org or email edgi2@qimrb.edu.au.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
LISA CURRY AO
NB. Lisa Curry AO has provided an extensive, pre-recorded VNR interview + supporting overlay & audio grabs, which are available for download from our digital media kit: edgi2mediakit.org
EDGI2 AUSTRALIA INVESTIGATORS
Professor Nick Martin
Head, Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute & Lead Investigator, Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) 2, BRISBANE
Professor Sarah Maguire OAM
Chief Investigator, EDGI2 Australia, Clinical Psychologist & Director,
InsideOut Institute, SYDNEY
EDGI2 GLOBAL LEAD PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Professor Cynthia Bulik
Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders; Founding Director, Centre of Excellence for Eating Disorders, University of North Carolina; Founder & Director, Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation at Karolinska Institute; & Principal Investigator, Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) 2, NORTH CAROLINA, USA & SWEDEN
OTHER EXPERTS
Annabel Johnston
Gut health dietitian & founder, Nutrition for Living, BRISBANE
Olivia Soha
Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach & Founder & Director of ‘Uncovery’ who lived with an eating disorder, MELBOURNE
Dr. June Alexander
Author, life-writing mentor, blogger, diarist & eating disorder advocate who lived with an eating disorder, GEELONG
Professor Tracey Wade
Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor, College of Education, Psychology & Social, ADELAIDE
Professor Sarah Cohen-Woods
Professor of Psychology, Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing & Head of the Behavioural Genetic & Environmental Mechanisms Lab, Flinders University, ADELAIDE
Dr Bronwyn Raykos
Clinical psychologist, researcher & founder of Morgan Psychology,PERTH
Dr Tiegan Holtham
Clinical Psychologist, The Flourish Collective & Headspace, DARWIN
Natasha Berthold
PhD student, The University of Western Australia & The Perron Institute, & Visiting Scholar, University of North Carolina’s Centre of Excellence for Eating Disorders, NORTH CAROLINA, USA
PATIENT ADVOCACY GROUP REPRESENTATIVES
Jane Rowan
Executive Director, Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) & lived experience eating disorder carer, BRISBANE
Mark & Gayle Forbes
Co-founders of mental health charity, endED, whose daughters have
both lived with an eating disorder, SUNSHINE COAST
Don Irvine
Father who became an eating disorder advocate after his eldest daughter’s decade-long battle with anorexia nervosa, PERTH
AUSTRALIANS WITH EATING DISORDER EXPERIENCE
Lexi, 36
Clinical nutritionist who endured more than 25 hospitalisations with anorexia nervosa over 18 years, BRISBANE
Emily, 22
Peer mental health support worker who wrestled with bulimia nervosa & binge eating disorder for over seven years, BRISBANE
Tayla, 25
Dietitian & former elite athlete who waged a silent battle with anorexia nervosa, SUNSHINE COAST
Rosiel, 34
PhD student, eating disorder lived experience consultant & identical twin who battled anorexia nervosa for 25+ years, SUNSHINE COAST
Hayley, 24
Student, artist & aspiring teacher who struggled with anorexia nervosa for nine years, GOLD COAST
Elise, 39
Breathwork & meditation facilitator, empowerment coach, cold immersion specialist who lived with anorexia nervosa for 23 years, SYDNEY
Vanessa, 48
Counsellor who wrestled with binge eating disorder for 25 years, SYDNEY
Sophie, 33
Postdoctoral neuroscience researcher with a family history of eating disorders who struggled with anorexia nervosa for 15 years, SYDNEY
Beck, 37
Lived with anorexia nervosa for 14 years, SYDNEY
Liam, 27
Chief Commercial Officer in custom technology development who grappled with anorexia nervosa for eight years, NEWCASTLE
Dr. June Alexander
Creative art therapist & disability support worker whose
anorexia nervosa robbed her childhood, WOLLONGONG
Kaylee, 26
Author, life-writing mentor, blogger, diarist & eating disorder advocate who lived with an eating disorder, GEELONG
Jenni-Lee, 66
Author, speaker, award-winning writer & counsellor who grappled with anorexia nervosa for nine years, ADELAIDE
Lauren, 35
Mental health peer support worker & mother-of-three who battled anorexia nervosa for 14 years, ADELAIDE
Shannon, 48
Lived experience educator & dog lover who grappled with anorexia nervosa & bulimia nervosa for more than three decades, PERTH
Sophie, 27
Aspiring primary school teacher who wrestled with other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) from 15 years of age, PERTH
MEDIA CONTACTS + INTERVIEWS
Kirsten Bruce & Sam Jacobs, VIVA! Communications
M 0401 717 566 | 0422 654 404
T 02 9968 3741 | 02 9968 1604
E kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au | sam@vivacommunications.com.au
Should you suspect you, or a loved one, may be living with an eating disorder, speak to your local healthcare practitioner without delay, or head to insideoutinstitute.org.au to complete their online screener and assessment, and to access more information and professional support.
Australian professional patient support services offering 24/7 helpline services include:
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Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 334 673
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Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
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LifeLine: 13 11 14
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Men’s Line Australia: 1300 78 99 78
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Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
References
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National Eating Disorders Collaboration. What is an Eating Disorder? [Website]. 2024 [Available from: https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/whats-an-eating-disorder].
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National Eating Disorders collaboration. Risk & Protective Factors 2025 [Available from: https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/risk-and-protective-factors].
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Grilo CM. Treatment of Eating Disorders: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2024;20(1):97-123.
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National Eating Disorders Collaboration. Eating Disorders in Australia 2025 [Available from: https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/eating-disorders-in-australia]