Dr Robert Hart

Biography

In 2010 Rob received a BSc(Hons) degree with first class honours in Physiology from UNE and received his PhD in 2016 for his thesis on Physiology and Pharmacokinetics. Throughout Rob’s Honours and PhD study he was involved in teaching in practical classes for various Biomedical subjects and in the later part of his PhD he was also employed as an Associate Lecturer in Human Biology and Physiology before joining UNE in 2015 as Lecturer in Biomedical Science. Rob’s research has examined the pharmacokinetics of leptin. He has also supervised higher degrees students in studies examining nutrition and reproduction, metabolism and reproduction, and use of exercise in management of poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons I) (Physiology), PhD University of New England

Teaching Areas

Rob has lectured physiology based content into units for degrees in Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Medicine, and Nursing.

Primary Research Area/s

Research Interests

Rob’s research interests include hormonal regulation of homeostasis, pharmacokinetics, and the gut microbiome.

Research Supervision Experience

Co-supervised PhDs: Peter Ajuogu, Mohammed Al-Aqbi

Co-supervised Masters by research: Liza Haqq

Publications

Selected Recent Publications

Journal Articles

Assadi, A, Zahabi, A, and Hart, RA (2020), 'GDF15, an update of the physiological and pathological roles it plays: A review', Pflugers Archiv (in press)

Ajuogu, PK, Al-Aqbi, MAK, Hart, RA, McFarlane, JR, and Smart NA (2020), 'A low protein maternal diet during gestation has negative effects on male fertility markers in rats - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis' Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nurtrition  (in press)

Ajuogu, PK, Al-Aqbi, MAK, Hart, RA, Wolden, M,  Smart NA, and McFarlane, JR (2020), 'The effect of dietary protein intake on factors associated with male infertility: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of animal clinical trials in rats', Nutrition and Health, 26(1), 53-64

Al-Aqbi, MAK, Hart, RA, Ajuogu, PK, van der Touw, T, McFarlane, JR, and Smart, NA (2020), 'Follicular fluid leptin as a marker for pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Human Fertility (in press)

Ajuogu, PK, Wolden, M, McFarlane, JR, Hart, RA, Carlson, DJ, van der Touw, T, and Smart, NA (2020), 'Effect of low and high protein maternal diets during gestation on reproductive outcomes in the rat: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Animal Science, 98(1), skz380

Winter, G, Hart, RA, Charlesworth, RPG, and Sharpley, C (2018), 'Gut microbiome and depression: What we know and what we need to know', Reviews in the Neurosciences, 29(6), 629-643

Effect of low- and high-protein maternal diets during gestation on reproductive outcomes in the rat: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hart, RA, Dobos, RC, Agnew, LL, Smart, NA, McFarlane, JR (2017), ‘Leptin pharmacokinetics in male mice’, Endocrine Connections, 6(1), 20-26

Hart, RA, Agnew, LL, Tellam, RL and McFarlane, JR (2016), ‘Pharmacokinetics of Leptin in Female Mice’, Physiological Research 65(2), 311-320

Andrew, NR, Hart, RA, Jung, M-P, Hemming, Z and Terblanche, JS (2013), ‘Can temperate insects take the heat? A case study of the physiological and behavioural responses to in a common ant, Iridomyrmex purpureus (Formicidae), with potential climate change’, Journal of Insect Physiology 59, 870-880

Andrew, NR, Hart, RA and Terblanche, JS (2012), ‘Plasticity of low temperature tolerance in an Australian cantharid beetle Chauliognathus lugubris’, Physiological Entomology 36, 4, 385-391

Book Chapter

Winter, G, Hart, RA, Charlesworth, RPG, and Sharpley, C (2020), Gut Microbiome and Depression: Bidirectional Communication and Implications for Treatment' in The Oxford Handbook of the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis, Oxford, England (ed Burnet, PJW), ISBN 9780190931544

Conference Abstracts

Hart, RA, and McFarlane, JR, 2016, ‘The fate of leptin in the digestive tract of mice’, ESA-SRB Meeting, ESA Basic Orals – Metabolic regulation of endocrine tissues, #223

Hart, RA, Agnew LL and McFarlane, JR, 2016, ‘Leptin pharmacokinetics in the digestive tract of mice’, Physiology2016 (American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society combined meeting), Poster PCA236

Hart, RA, Agnew, LL and McFarlane, JR (2015), ‘Pharmacokinetics of Leptin in the Gut of Mice’ The Annual Endocrine Society of Australia and Society for Reproductive Biology Meeting 2015

Hart, RA and McFarlane, JR (2014), ‘Leptin in the Gut of Male Mice’, Australian and New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry 31st Annual Meeting

Hart, RA and McFarlane, JR (2013), ‘Leptin Distribution in the Gut of Male Mice’, Endocrine Reviews, 34, 3 Meeting Abstracts, MON-665

Andrew, NR, Hart, RA, Jung, M-P and Terblanche, JS (2012), ‘Can temperate insects take the heat? The risks of high temperature exposure to meat ants caused by climate change’ Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting 2012

Hart, RA and McFarlane, JR (2011), ‘Compartmental Analysis of Leptin in Tissues of Mice’, Endocrine Reviews, 32, 3 Meeting Abstracts, P2-433

Memberships

Endocrine Society of Australia
Australian and New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry
European Society of Endocrinology
American Physiological Society

External Profiles

• ResearchGate Profile
• ORCid Profile