Iain joined Northumbria University in 2019, having begun his lecturing career in 2010. He completed his first degree in Physiological Sciences at Newcastle University. This inspired his interest in whole-body and systems physiology that led him to pursue a PhD in dietary fibre and gastorintestinal function.
Iain's subsequent research has focused on dietary fibre, whole grains, seaweeds and their potential impacts on parameters of cardiovascular, metabolic and gastrointestinal health. His work has included the design and management of randomised, controlled trials, cross-sectional studies in infants, children and young adults, laboratory modelling of gastrointestinal function, and studies related to digestive enzyme detection and activity. A number of projects he has worked on have been supported by approaches to define or assess dietary "idealness" in different contexts. This includes evaluation of the quality of foods served at Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programmes in the UK. He also has significant experience in project related to international health claims frameworks.
Iain has collaborated with pharmaceutical, food and biotechnology industry partners throughout his career. He has successfully supervised 7 PhD students to completion and has research collaborations and networks in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Iain's teaching roles has particularly leant on his physiological background and focus on supporting students in filtering information while developing their ability to evaluate existing evidence and apply their knowledge and understanding to address the complex, global challenges that relate to human nutrition.
Iain has research interests in most elements of gastrointestinal health and disease. He is particularly interested in a better understanding of how dietary intake could impact on gastric reflux (the backflow of stomach contents up the oseophagus and beyond). His collaborative work on modelling the gastrointestinal system could be applied to early evaluation of a wide range of a wide range of foods, nutraceuticals and novel bioactives of interest but has particularly focused on individual dietary fibres and seaweeds to date. He has also been involved in 3 dietary surveillance projects in young Singaporeans and other projects related international health claims, including randomised, controlled trials in humans.
Iain's previous research has resulted in two international patents and the development of a spinout company.
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