The Researcher in Focus for April 2023 is Nicola Ward, who is a PhD researcher in the nutrition research group at Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast. Here she tells us more about her research.
What is your area of research?
My research area is looking at how we can use lifestyle modifications, specifically diet and exercise, for the prevention of undernutrition and to promote healthy neurocognitive ageing. I am part of the team working on the PROMED-EX randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of a protein-enriched Mediterranean diet and exercise intervention in nutritionally and cognitively at-risk individuals. We hope this work will generate data on mechanistic pathways by which the lifestyle changes prescribed in PROMED-EX could impact nutritional status and cognition.
What made you interested in this area?
My previous projects investigating Sprint Interval Training and supplementation strategies for glycaemic control and exercise performance, alongside my extensive professional history within the fitness and wellness sector, working one-on-one with clients first sparked my interest in lifestyle modifications. My enthusiasm for research grew with my master’s project, investigating galvanic vestibular stimulation on body composition and metabolism as a novel therapeutic approach for obesity and diabetes management, looking at the neurological side of obesity.
What impact would you like your research to have?
Aside from increasing knowledge in this area, I hope this research has a real-world impact that produces evidence-based lifestyle guidelines for the prevention of undernutrition, and promotion of healthy neurocognitive ageing in older adults.
Who has helped or inspired you in your area of research?
My supervisors Dr Claire McEvoy and Professor Jayne Woodside not only inspire me in this research area but have helped me develop my research skills from academic writing to presenting and networking.
What current research are you most excited about (your own, or that of others)?
I’m interested in hearing more about any research that revolves around using lifestyle modifications to help combat chronic non-communicable diseases. Aside from my own research, I’m interested in reading more about Blood Flow restriction training for cognitive function. I’d come across it as a useful therapeutic tool with clients in regard to injuries and muscular performance and have seen a couple of hypothesis papers planning to investigate the effects of resistance training with BFR on cognition.
On the 21st March, I enjoyed listening to the work of Dr Sandra Luliano at the Dairy Council Meeting regarding dairy consumption in residential care homes as a useful strategy to prevent fractures and falls in adults.
What do you do when you are not working?
I’m a big believer in practising what you preach. Although the majority of my time is focused on my PhD. I make time for physical activity wherever possible, whether I’m lifting weights in the gym, boxing or taking a walk to listen to a podcast. I enjoy learning new skills, most recently I started learning Italian.
What is your favourite pastime?
As cliché as traveling might sound, if I have free time I like to go and explore new places. I’d never been to Northern Ireland before I moved here 18 months ago, so I enjoy hiking on the weekend in the Mourne mountains or visiting the coast.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Stop Asking “Why” and Start Asking “How”, because asking “why” alone is looking backwards whereas “how” focuses on the future. Try it, the next time you’re faced with an obstacle or someone says you can’t do something!
Contact Details:
Email: Nward522@qub.ac.uk
Twitter: @NicolaAnnWard
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-ann-ward-721a801b1/