PhD Nutritional Sciences (48 months)

A PhD is an independent, in-depth research project. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop additional skills through training programs designed to assist in the completion of their PhD. Each year, the candidate will have regular meetings with their supervisor and participate in an annual review.

The overarching theme of the school's nutritional sciences research group is the scientific understanding and improvement of nutrition for both humans and animals.

The main areas of research include:

• Population-based studies to assess nutrient status and health, encompassing topics such as the impacts of dietary choices, financial implications, and the effects of nutrition on fertility, pregnancy, and early infant outcomes. • Diet-health interactions in humans, which involve nutrient-gene interactions, cohort analysis and interventions, MRI imaging, and the influence of health issues and diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, on digestive processes and nutrient utilization. • Sustainable nutrition, focusing on the identification of novel protein sources for human and animal nutrition, mineral nutrition, and new sources of carbohydrates. • Nutritional enhancement of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to improve food quality. • Food analysis and authentication, including micronutrient assessment, allergenicity and novel routes of exposure, proximate analysis, food bioactives, and metabolomics. • The effects of dietary components—such as fatty acids, proteins, micronutrients, and antioxidants—on health and disease processes. • Development of gastrointestinal models to study nutrient bioavailability and utilization. • The exploration of the molecular basis of nutrient signaling.