Research
Research Interest/s
The key areas of study in which I currently have a personal interest fit into the general aim of conceptualising the various factors underlying feeding behaviour, how these conspire to produce over-consumption and how we can intervene to restore the normal appetite regulatory processes. These are all crucial components in the study of obesity. In particular my research focuses on:
1) Appetite regulation - Short-term and long-term neurobiological, metabolic and psychological mechanisms involved in controlling food intake, energy balance and metabolism.
2) Obesity - The treatment of clinical obesity, particularly pharmacological,nutritional and behavioural approaches.
3) Triggers of eating behaviour - The effect of external (such as food and food advertisements) factors on the initiation of feeding behaviour.
4) Development of food preferences - Identification of a) mechanisms involved in, and b) factors influencing the development of enduring and healthy food preferences in infancy.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
As an expert in mechanisms underpinning appetite regulation, eating behavior and energy intake, I work with industry in two broad areas, developing health foods and beverages, and developing and evaluating novel approaches for weight management.
• I do not work with the food industry in the areas of policy and public health.
• I do not receive personal payment, and all income goes to the University of Liverpool and this is used to support other researchers and academics.
• These associations and potential conflicts of interest are declared in relevant publications and presentations.
I am involved in a significant industry funded project where I am also Co-Principal Investigator on the SWITCH trial, a 2-year study on the impact of low-calorie sweetener use, in weight management. The trial is funded by the American Beverage Association. This is declared on respective websites (https://www.americanbeverage.org/education-resources/policies-research/), via the trial registration (https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02591134) and on our published methodology paper. It is also declared in all publications and presentations of the findings.
Key SWITCH papers
https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Contemporary-Clinical-Trials-1551-7144
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.23796
Participant data are not publicly available but can be requested after study completion.
Research groups
Research grants
Covid-SMART Release & Return
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
February 2022 - July 2022
Re-Liv-E
DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA & SPORT (UK)
April 2021 - June 2021
The Food Policy Impact Simulator
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL
July 2019 - October 2019
STFC Food Security Network+
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL
May 2019 - October 2019
The acute effect of a removable oral device on eating rate, food intake and appetite (within and between meals).
DENLAB DIRECT LIMITED (UK)
March 2017 - December 2017
SWEET: Sweeteners and sweetness enhancers: Impact on health, obesity, safety and sustainability
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
October 2018 - March 2024
Randomised, single blind study to assess efficacy of combination therapy of dapagliflozin with exanitide LAR versus exanatide LAR monotherapy in obese (BMI>35 kg/m2) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (RESILIENT)
ASTRAZENECA LIMITED (UK)
July 2016 - December 2024
Roles of peripheral and central cannabinoids in energy homeostasis.
LIVERPOOL DIABETES RESEARCH ACTION FUND
September 2004 - October 2007
Coca Cola - The acute effect of protein and fibre infused beverages on hunger, satiety and food intake
COCA COLA (BELGIUM)
June 2009 - December 2010
An RCT to test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of primary care referral to a commercial weight loss provider.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2012 - July 2016
Psychometric assessment of patients attending the National Alkaptonuria Centre.
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
June 2012 - May 2023
Capacity building award in integrative mammalian biology
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2007 - October 2015
Satiety functioning in children: Potential for promoting health through functional foods.
TATE & LYLE INGREDIENTS (FRANCE)
February 2012 - February 2015
Maternal diet and weight status and the family food environment: The impact of socioeconomic status mediates the benefits of breastfeeding on reductions in childhood obesity and health inequalities.
LIVERPOOL PRIMARY CARE TRUST (UK)
January 2012 - December 2015
Effects of non-nutritive sweetened (NNS) beverages on appetite during active weight loss: Does the consumption of low calorie sweetened beverages (versus water) support or undermine weight management through effects on hunger, satiety, liking, wanting or changes in food preference?
AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION (ABA) (USA)
November 2014 - December 2024