Personal information
Biography
I am Director of nutrition research (NICHE) since 2016, and Professor of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (since 2001) at Ulster, and a registered dietitian by professional training. I am an elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy (since 2008), Fellow of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (since 2017), and was co-Chair of the 13th FENS European Nutrition Conference Dublin (Oct 2019). The purpose of the research I lead in nutrition is to provide greater understanding of nutrition-related health issues through the lifecycle, to achieve impacts through facilitating policy aimed at disease prevention, and to drive innovation activities. I have a personal track record of successful nutrition research with measurable impacts beyond academia, particularly in driving food and health policy. I have particular expertise in micronutrients and have published extensively in the field of folate and metabolically related B vitamins. I frequently deliver keynote presentations at international scientific and health professional conferences and I have a 25+ year history of mentorship of numerous members of research staff and the supervision of 35 PhD students to successful completion. Notably, I played a key role in developing Ageing research as a strategic area within NICHE. I am PI for the Trinity-Ulster-Department of Agriculture (TUDA) cohort study, a unique Island of Ireland resource for ageing research designed to assess nutritional, environmental and genetic factors in relation to health and disease in older adults, initially co-funded by governmental investment from Northern Ireland and the Republic (2008-2012; ~£5 M), with subsequent funding (~£1.5 M) from various sources to extend the initial study. Apart from leading nutrition research at Ulster, I am actively involved in teaching and administration of BSc and MSc programmes in food, nutrition & dietetics and I am fully committed to the integration of research and teaching.