Personal profile
Biography
Dr Barbara R Cardoso is a nutritional biochemist with a Masters and a PhD from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) and international experience attained from research appointments in Brazil and Spain. She has developed breakthrough studies that combine her skills in nutrition, clinical trials, analytical chemistry, proteomics and molecular biology to unravel the biochemistry of selenium and its implications in age-associated cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. She also has an interest in investigating the intake of nuts as a dietary strategy to slow age-associated cognitive decline.
Monash teaching commitment
Dr Barbara R Cardoso is the unit coordinator for NUT3008 - Precision and Personalised Nutrition; and co-coordinator for the unit NUT2104 - Nutritional Biochemistry in the Bsc Nutrition Science course.
Supervision interests
Dr Barbara Cardoso is interested in supervising Honours and HDR students interested in investigating the biochemistry of selenium and the health effects of nut consumption.
Education/Academic qualification
Science / Nutrition, PhD, Effects of Brazil nut intake, the main selenium food source, on cognition, oxidative stress and selenium status in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and its association with polymorphisms in selenoprotein genes, Universidade de Saõ Paulo (University of Sao Paulo)
Award Date: 10 Sept 2014
Nutrition, Bachelor degree, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Federal University of Santa Catarina)
Award Date: 13 Apr 2013
Human Applied Nutrition, Master's, Selenium status of Alzheimer’s disease patients and its relation with Pro198Leu polymorphism on glutathione peroxidase 1 gene, Universidade de Saõ Paulo (University of Sao Paulo)
Award Date: 30 Jun 2009
Clinical nutrition, Post-graduate course, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul (Cruzeiro do Sul University)
Award Date: 20 Dec 2008
External positions
Honorary Appointment, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (FINMH)
2016 → 2021
Research area keywords
- selenium
- age-associated cognitive decline
- dementia
- minerals
- Micronutrient
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 13 Climate Action
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Association between walnut intake and biological ageing in US adults
Cardoso, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Belsky, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Kwon, D. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/02/26 → 30/11/26
Project: Research
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Effects of chestnuts on postprandial glycaemic and insulinaemic response: a randomised crossover study
Cardoso, B. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)) & Houghton, M. (Chief Investigator (CI))
10/09/25 → 30/04/26
Project: Research
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Cardiovascular exercise to prevent cognitive decline in high risk patient populations: a post-ischaemic stroke exercise intervention study
Brodtmann, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Bernhardt, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Thijs, V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Burrell, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Johnson, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hayward, K. S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Kramer, S. F. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Werden, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Cardoso, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Burrell, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Egorova-Brumley, N. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/08/19 → 30/06/25
Project: Research
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Association between selenium biomarkers and insulin resistance in women with obesity: A case–control study
Soares, T. D. C., Cardoso, B. E. P., Dias, T. M. D. S., Morais, J. B. S., Fontenelle, L. C., Melo, S. R. D. S., Santos, L. R. D., de Sousa, T. G. V., Sousa, M. D. P., Oliveira, F. E., Henriques, G. S., Cardoso, B. R. & Marreiro, D. D. N., Jul 2025, In: Nutrition and Health. 31, 3, p. 1271-1280 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Inhibition of human maltase-glucoamylase, sucrase-isomaltase and α-amylases by gallotannins and ellagitannins
Farazi, M., Houghton, M. J., Murray, M., Cardoso, B. R. & Williamson, G., Jun 2025, In: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 314, 13 p., 144204.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Lack of sufficient evidence to support a positive role of selenium status in depression: a systematic review
Santos, A. C., Passos, A. F. F., Holzbach, L. C., Cardoso, B. R., Santos, M. A., Coelho, A. S. G., Cominetti, C. & Almeida, G. M., Feb 2025, In: Nutrition Reviews. 83, 2, p. e211-e222 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
12 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Selenium supplementation in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis: A systematic review of the effects on plasma selenium, antioxidant and inflammatory markers, immunological parameters and thyroid hormones
Trigueira, P. D. C., Leal, V. D. O., Cardoso, B. R., Mafra, D., Araujo, M. C. & Stockler-Pinto, M. B., Jun 2025, In: Nutrition Research Reviews. 38, 1, p. 294-305 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Association between ultra-processed food intake and biological ageing in US adults: findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2010
Cardoso, B. R., Liu, J., Machado, P., Kwon, D., Belsky, D. W. & Martinez Steele, E., Dec 2024, In: Age and Ageing. 53, 12, 8 p., afae268.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access11 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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2023 Advancing Women's Success Grant program
Cardoso, B. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Andrew Ramsden Monash Health Translational Precinct Early Career Researcher Collaborative Award
Cardoso, B. (Recipient) & Schroeder, A. (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Florey Postdoc Association Training Award
Cardoso, B. (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Ultra-processed foods and cognition: where is the evidence?
Cardoso, B. (Contributor)
23 May 2023Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Ultra-processed foods and age-associated cognitive decline: insights from epidemiological studies
Cardoso, B. (Contributor)
1 Jun 2023Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Selenium
Cardoso, B. (Contributor)
9 Nov 2022Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Effects of nuts on vascular health of stroke survivors
Cardoso, B. (Supervisor) & Williamson, G. (Supervisor)
2021 → 2022Activity: Other Teaching Engagements and non-HDR Supervisions › Non-HDR Supervisions
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Nutritional status of magnesium and its association with thyroid hormones in women with obesity
Cardoso, B. (Examiner)
20 Jul 2021Activity: Examination types › Thesis Examination
Press/Media
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Article in Herald Sun: Walnuts in daily diet could boost male fertility, Monash researchers find.
21/11/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Ultra-processed foods and age-associated cognitive decline
5/03/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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Can the role of food processing answer the age-old question?
19/07/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Blogs