Research Interests
I am interested in how the diet quality of people with neurological conditions can influence the severity of disease associated symptoms. I have been involved in many clinical trials to date and have worked with large cohorts including collaboration with the MRC and Multiple Sclerosis Register UK. One of my current interests includes the role of flavonoid rich sources for fatigue management in people with Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer. I am currently working on projects looking at diet quality and/ or metabolic parameters in vulnerable groups such as those with Parkinson's, Cerebral Palsy, UK Prisoners, and paediatric patients with neurological and autoimmune conditions.
Research group membership
I belong to the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health (OxBCNH) and the Centre for Movement Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS; UoA3).
Research grants and awards
Central Research Grant, Oxford Brookes, April ‘15 - £ 19,885; PI
Title: The assessment of diet intake in relation to symptoms in people with Multiple Sclerosis using the MS Register cohort.
Multiple Sclerosis Society Project Grant, March ’15 – £ 75,000; CI
Title: The effect of flavonoid rich cocoa on fatigue in people with Multiple Sclerosis – a feasibility trial.
Supervisor for a Nutrition Society studentship, May ’17 - £2500; CI
Title: The effect of ketone supplementation on fatigue in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Action Medical Research, March ’17 - £232,367; CI
Title: Standing up for Cerebral Palsy
Parkinson’s UK, Jan ‘16 - £29,973; CI
Title: First Steps for people with Parkinson’s’
Faculty Collaborative Learning/Teaching Proposal, December ’17 - £1382; PI
Title: OBU Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS) and Centre for Nutrition and Health (OxCNH): Student input into PPI (Patient and Public Involvement) initiatives and novel development of an important student skill set.
Alzheimer’s Research UK, Pilot Grant, Feb ’18 - £4,000; PI
Title: Does mitochondrial and bioenergetic functioning relate to physical and cognitive fatigue and fatigability in Parkinson’s: a model for the Dementias.
Oxford Brookes: Research Excellence Award Sept ’18 - £10,000; CI
To increase research impact
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) ’19 - £24,094; CI
Title: Involving children and young people in developing a NICE guideline on Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) diagnosis and management.
Oxford Brookes: Research Excellence Award Jan '21 - £19,400; PI
Title: Assessment of malnutrition in overweight and obese patients with cancer.
Research impact
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/latest-research/latest-research-news-and-blogs/research-shows-hot-chocolate-could-help-reduce-fatigue?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=organic_post&utm_content=chocolate_flavonoid_research_tw&utm_campaign=2019M7202_0992
Further information
/shssw/research/centres-and-groups/mores/can/
/shssw/nutrition/research/oxbcnh/