Dr Zoya Huschtscha

Course Advisory & Development Member

Dr Zoya Huschtscha is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), where she investigates nutrition interventions for active ageing, hydration for sports performance, and resistance training adaptations.

Zoya completed her PhD at Monash University, with her research focusing on interventions to prevent and treat sarcopenia – the age-related loss of muscle mass and function. Her work has contributed to understanding how protein intake and resistance training can support healthy ageing populations, with findings published in peer-reviewed journals including Sports Medicine Open, Frontiers in Nutrition, and the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Her current research at IPAN spans hydration strategies for endurance athletes, the role of pre/probiotics in sports performance, and nutritional approaches to support muscle health across the lifespan. Recent work examining salt supplementation in female endurance athletes earned recognition from Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Beyond her academic work, Zoya is an Accredited Advanced Sports Dietitian who operates her own private practice, The Strong Dietitian, specialising in women’s health, sports nutrition, and fertility nutrition. She brings practical, athlete-centred experience to her research, competing herself as a strongwoman and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Zoya has contributed to sports nutrition education as a course coordinator for Monash University’s online Certificate in Sports and Exercise Nutrition, and is a recognised voice in translating research for public audiences – authoring pieces for The Conversation and featuring in media discussions on strength training and nutrition.