I am an international research team leader and an expert on the role of nutrition in the interaction between infectious and chronic diseases, an under-studied but important area. This work arises from two aspects of my earlier research: on nutrition-HIV interactions and on body composition which is associated with disease in both over- and under-nutrition. My research addresses several themes in the LSHTM research strategy: chronic conditions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), how these interact with infectious diseases, and how nutrition throughout the life course can influence these interactions. My focus has been on determinants of disease and underlying metabolism with the ultimate aim of improving management of infectious and chronic diseases in LMICs.

Since the largest numbers of people affected by infectious diseases and now also chronic diseases are in LMICs, I have invested substantially in developing partnerships with people from LMICs and mentor them so they become equipped with the skills to lead on research addressing their own aims. My recent grants include 6 where I act as mentor for colleagues and students in LMICs and 3 where, as Co-I, I contribute to work led by a PI from a LMIC. I consider mentorship of early career researchers both at LSHTM and in LMICs to be an important contribution to academic leadership.

Moving forward, the new SAMPA project, for which I am PI, combines several of my cohorts to permit investigation of long-term outcomes, primarily pancreas structure and endocrine and exocrine functions, of prior exposure to malnutrition or severe infections. This international collaboration will provide a step change in understanding chronic conditions in LMICs. In addition to the addressing the aims of the funded project, the data and samples from the combined cohorts will provide a platform for additional studies and PhD projects, some of which are now being planned.