Free to attend courtesy of Volac

Join academic and industry experts discussing the latest research and science which underpins how whey protein and other dairy ingredients can have a positive impact upon immunity.

Dr Leigh Breen, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Birmingham University will join Michael Hughes, Head of Research and Insight, FMCG Gurus and Dr Elisa Glover, Nutrition Specialist from ingredient experts Volac, as they explore the impact of whey protein for immune health across the life course.

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    UCL Doctoral Researcher and Chief Science Educator, The Health Sciences Academy
    Alex Ruani is a Doctoral Researcher in nutrition science education at University College London, and Chief Science Educator at The Health Sciences Academy, where she leads a team of accomplished scientists and PhDs on large education and publishing projects helping 150,000+ working and aspiring nutrition professionals succeed in their careers.

    Her expertise is sharing what's new and what's actually working in the field of nutrition, giving learners the tools they need to stay on top of evidence-based advice and get ahead of the curve – from nutrition biochemistry, appetite and eating psychology, to nutritional neuroscience, nutritional genetics and epigenetics, and gut microbiomics.

    As a leading science educator and researcher, Alex has authored 50+ science reports on health and nutrition, written and edited 1,000s of commentaries on trending scientific topics, and led the curriculum design and content for 15+ accredited Certifications and 60+ Continuing Education courses at The Health Sciences Academy – equipping nutrition professionals with the latest tools to help their own clients and stand out in the field.

    Alex keeps running research studies with 100,000,000s of data points relating to health/diet attitudes, beliefs and behaviours and the influence of nutrition science education alongside University College London and The Health Sciences Academy’s educational platform.
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    Head of Research and Insight at FMCG Gurus
    Mike Hughes has over 13 years’ experience analysing consumer trends, attitudes and behaviours and currently heads up the research and insight division at FMCG Gurus. Mike has a particular interest in highlighting how consumer attitudes and behaviours can often differ and what the true meaning of trends are for the industry.
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    Nutrition Specialist at Volac International
    Dr Elisa Glover has a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics (University of Guelph, Canada) and a Master’s degree in Pharmacology (University of Western Ontario, Canada). She completed her PhD at McMaster University, examining the effects of inactivity and amino acids on muscle protein metabolism. Before Volac she worked at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare in New Product Research and Medical Affairs. Elisa’s scientific interests include protein intake and physical activity across the lifespan, the role of protein quality, and the bioactive properties of dairy components.
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    Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology and Metabolism, Birmingham University.
    Dr Leigh Breen’s research group are based in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences (SportExR) and work under the auspices of the Medical Research Council/Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Inflammation at the University of Birmingham. The overarching goal of his research is to understand regulatory mechanisms of the cellular regulation skeletal muscle plasticity and develop targeted exercise and nutritional (particularly protein-based) approaches to enhance skeletal muscle remodeling and physical performance in health and disease. Dr Breen has been Principal or Co-Investigator on a number of successful project grants from research councils, charitable foundations and industry partners. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences. Leigh was recently awarded Fellow status with the European College of Sports Sciences.