Dr Iain Brownlee

Associate Professor

School: Geography and Natural Sciences

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.

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Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

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.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
The Nutritional Quality of Food Provision at UK Government-Funded Holiday Clubs: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Energy and Nutrient Content, Vitale, M., Crossland, S., Shinwell, J., Stretesky, P., Defeyter, M., Brownlee, I. 18 Apr 2023, In: Nutrients
The Diet of Children Attending a Holiday Programme in the UK: Adherence to UK Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and School Food Standards, Crilley, E., Brownlee, I., Defeyter, M. 22 Dec 2021, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
A Pilot Pre and Post 4 Week Intervention Evaluating the Effect of a Proprietary, Powdered, Plant Based Food on Micronutrient Status, Dietary Intake, and Markers of Health in a Healthy Adult Population, Wilcox, M., Chater, P., Stanforth, K., Williams, R., Brownlee, I., Pearson, J. 11 Jul 2022, In: Frontiers in Nutrition
Acceptability of alginate enriched bread and its effect on fat digestion in humans, Houghton, D., Wilcox, M., Brownlee, I., Chater, P., Seal, C., Pearson, J. 1 Aug 2019, In: Food Hydrocolloids
An overview of whole grain regulations, recommendations and research across Southeast Asia, Brownlee, I., Durukan, E., Masset, G., Hopkins, S., Tee, E. 11 Jun 2018, In: Nutrients

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Invited talk: Progress on a Whole Diet and Supplement-based Intervention to Improve Frailty in Older Adults: The AMBROSIA project 2023
Editorial work: Food Hydrocolloids (Journal) 2016
Invited talk: The role of hydrocolloids as dietary fibre and the influence on human health 2017
Invited talk: The potential for health claims in immune and mental health 2022
Invited talk: Exploring the digestive health market 2022
Oral presentation: Assessing the overall diet quality of 6 to 12-year-old Singaporean children 2019
Invited talk: Issues on Definition of Whole Grains and Dietary Fiber: Towards Harmonization in Southeast Asia 2019

PGR Supervision

Shweta Katrolia The effects of wheat proteins in Non-coeliac wheat sensitivity. Start Date: 14/10/2024
Sophie Scott Understanding the relationship between free sugar and health Start Date: 24/06/2024 End Date: 17/10/2025
Sophie Scott Understanding the relationship between free sugar and health Start Date: 24/06/2024 End Date: 31/10/2025
Katie Boulton Informing solution to diet and lifestyle management of reflux-associated upper gut symptoms. Start Date: 01/10/2022
Katie Boulton Informing solution to diet and lifestyle management of reflux-associated upper gut symptoms. Start Date: 01/10/2022 End Date: 17/10/2025
Shweta Katrolia The effects of wheat proteins in Non-coeliac wheat sensitivity. Start Date: 14/10/2024 End Date: 17/10/2025