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Press Release

20th December 2022

University of Reading professor honoured for ‘outstanding contribution’ to nutritional science

Each year, the British Nutrition Foundation celebrates an individual for their significant work and contribution to the field of human nutrition. This year, the Foundation is proud to award the BNF Prize to Professor Julie Lovegrove, Professor of Human Nutrition and Director of the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition at the University of Reading.

Professor Lovegrove is a registered nutritionist with over 30 years’ experience researching the role of nutrition on cardiovascular diseases, focusing on the metabolic impact of dietary fats, nutrient-gene interactions and personalised nutrition.

Her work, which has led to more than 280 scientific publications, has made a major contribution in establishing the relevance of dietary fat quality to the development and prevention of cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (diabetes, high blood pressures and obesity).

Professor Lovegrove also serves on a number of external committees, including her position as Deputy Chair of the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee for Nutrition (SACN) and President of the Nutrition Society.

The award was presented to Professor Lovegrove at the British Nutrition Foundation’s Annual Awards Ceremony held in November, in London.

Commenting on awarding Prof Lovegrove, Sara Stanner, Science Director, British Nutrition Foundation said, “We would like to congratulate Julie for her outstanding contribution to the field of nutrition over the past 30 years, studying the role of nutrition on cardiovascular diseases, with a focus on the metabolic impact of dietary fats, plant phytochemicals, nutrient-gene interactions and personalised nutrition. While the BNF Prize is always a challenge for the reviewing committee as it leads to many worthy nominations, Julie’s exemplary scientific research and application of this science to public health made her a worthy recipient of this award for us. We hope this inspires others in the field to go on and achieve great heights and further advance our understanding on the subject.”

Prof Julie Lovegrove, on winning the BNF Prize said, “It is an honour to be awarded the prestigious BNF Prize to mark outstanding achievement in an area of nutrition. The importance of nutrition in improving public health has been a lifelong ambition and focus of my career. I’d like to acknowledge the support and inspiration I’ve received from so many exceptional scientists, colleagues, and an outstanding research team. This BNF Prize reflects achievements made possible by collaborative work effort, shared success, and friendship of them all”.

The Award is made possible through British Nutrition Foundation’s management of the Drummond Memorial Fund, established in 1954 in memory of the work of Sir Jack Drummond, who made a significant contribution to developments in the application of nutrition science for public health benefit. 

To learn more about past BNF Prize winners, please visit https://www.nutrition.org.uk/our-work/what-we-do/awards/the-bnf-prize/

 

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The British Nutrition Foundation press office can be contacted for further information, interviews and images at pressoffice@nutrition.org.uk 

About the British Nutrition Foundation

Connecting people, food and science for better nutrition and healthier lives

 

The British Nutrition Foundation is a registered charity that provides impartial, evidence-based information about food and nutrition. We translate nutrition science in engaging and actionable ways, working extensively with people in academia, health care, education, communications and the food system, for public benefit.

 

We safeguard our independence through robust governance, with an independent Board supported by an Advisory Committee and a Scientific Committee, both of which draw upon a board range of experts from academia, government, industry, and public life. Our governance is weighted towards the scientific community, universities, and research institutes, and those from education, finance, media, communications, and HR backgrounds.

 

Funding for the British Nutrition Foundation is from membership subscriptions; donations; project grants from food producers and manufacturers, retailers and food service companies; conferences; publications, training, trusts, and foundations. The British Nutrition Foundation is not a lobbying organisation, nor does it endorse any products or engage in food advertising campaigns.

 

More details about the British Nutrition Foundation’s work, funding and governance can be found here.