About
As a Research Associate at UCL's Centre for Behaviour Change, my research primarily focused on the application of behavioural theory and frameworks like COM-B and the Theoretical Domains Framework to study influences on health behaviours and design interventions that address them. I worked on a range of projects, from encouraging active travel and medication adherence to influencing the management of diabetes and obesity. During this time, I collaborated with notable entities like the United Nations Youth Platform, London's Hackney, Hounslow, and Lambeth boroughs, and the NHS on various behaviour change projects which helped shape public health policy.
In September 2023, I started my PhD research, which aims to explore the biopsychosocial interactions between the neighbourhood food environment and an individual’s susceptibility to obesity. I am on UCL's Health of the Public Doctoral Training Program, which takes a complex systems approach to thinking about health. My PhD integrates research methods from geography (through Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques) to characterise the neighbourhood food environment, with behavioural genetics, to explore whether genetic influence on body weight is more potently expressed among those living in more ‘obesogenic’ neighbourhood food environments.
As an academic, I am dedicated to advancing our understanding of the factors that contribute to obesity and developing effective interventions to address this global health issue. I have published papers on this topic and presented my research at international conferences. In addition to my research, I am also passionate about science communication and public engagement. I have organized and participated in numerous events to share my research with the public and promote science literacy. I plan to maintain my close collaborations with policy makers and government health bodies throughout the duration of my PhD and utilise my findings to contribute to the design of more effective public health interventions and policy aimed at preventing obesity.
Education
2023 - 2027
PhD in Life and Biomedical Sciences, University College London
My PhD research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) focuses on the biopsychosocial interactions between the neighbourhood food environment and an individual’s susceptibility to obesity.
2020 - 2022
MSc in Psychology,
University College London
Achieved a Distinction in this post-graduate degree. My MSc thesis investigated the factors that influence people living with overweight or obesity to sign up for a Tier 2 weight management program, using a theoretical framework to inform intervention design. Awarded Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) from the British Psychological Society.
Awards, Scholarships and Grants
Awards
July 2024 – Santander Universities Research Awards. Amount: £1,000
March 2024 – Best Poser Presentation - Medical Research Council (MRC) DTP annual research retreat. Amount: £65
August 2021 - UCL Behavioural Insights Exchange (BIX) award for my MSc thesis.
Amount: £1,500
Funding Offers
March 2023 - UCL Birkbeck MRC DTP Studentship offer – University College London. Amount: ≈ £100,000
February 2023 - MRC Epidemiology PhD Studentship offer – Cambridge University. Amount: ≈ £100,000
February 2023 - ESRC UBEL PhD Studentship offer – University College London. Amount: ≈ £100,000