Peter Mark completed a PhD at the University of Western Australia and is currently a lecturer in reproductive biology at UWA. He researches how the placenta acts as a driver of fetal growth and development. Obesity during pregnancy can result in small for gestational age babies through placental dysfunction, which subsequently predisposes the offspring to adult-onset diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Recent research has focussed on circadian rhythms in placental function and how these may impact on nutrient transfer to the developing fetus. Both obesity and disturbances in maternal circadian rhythms can alter fetal growth trajectories and program offspring for adverse health outcomes, but whether disruption of placental rhythms contributes to these effects is unknown.