Staff Mini-Biographies

Stephen Atkin is Professor of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at the Hull York Medical School. He is based and leads the pharmaceutical and nutritional clinical trials teams for these studies at the Clinical Research Centre at Hull Royal Infirmary.  Translational clinical trials for both the food and pharmaceutical industry are a major focus of his work.  These are integral to the overall research portfolio on obesity, diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, and the reduction of cardiovascular risk in these conditions that are associated with a poor prognosis.

Ian Morris is the Associate Dean for Research in the Hull York Medical School and a Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology. He takes responsibility for the coordination of HYMS clinical and biomedical research and development across North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire. He has extensive experience in clinical and experimental studies including the investigation of body weight and is well networked with Pharma. He is a member of NHS, UK government and University research committees.

Bill Walker is Director of the Business and Community Knowledge Exchange at the University of Hull. He leads a team responsible for commercialisation of University expertise and dedicated to ensuring that knowledge from the University actively impacts and influences the regional regeneration agenda. He was formerly head of the New Technology Institute, which in two years helped create breakthrough initiatives. Before joining the University in 2003, Bill spent 25 years working in the media in a variety of editing and managerial roles, winning UK and European business awards for his pioneering work with education. He led on change management programmes as Operations Director at the Hull Daily Mail before joining the University.

Hilary Hamer has come to this project as Industry Liaison Manager with a background as a Food Scientist on a secondment from HYMS.  She has experience of setting up and running an innovative foundation degree in Food Manufacturing Management, working closely throughout with the local food industry.  Immediately prior to this project Hilary worked on  identifying , improving and embedding relevant nutrition teaching within the medical curriculum to address the new and very visible public health problems in weight management and associated diseases.

Steve Smyth is the Project Manager for the HONEI Project.  He comes from the North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Comprehensive Local Research Network which is part of the NIHR CRN on a secondment; with a wealth of experience in Management, Human Resources, Training and developing Clinical Research opportunities as well as developing Information and Reporting Systems.  He has Projected Managed many varied projects including commissioning a nuclear submarine, global submarine deployments including areas of conflict and natural disasters, foot and mouth and fireman’s strikes national manpower coordination.

Project Collaborative Partners

Derek Colquhoun is the first Professor of Urban Learning in the UK & has been involved for many years in researching healthier lifestyles in adult and child populations. He set up and co-ordinates the Food, Health and Education (FHEd) – a multi-disciplinary Research Group which recently hosted a trans-disciplinary workshop on the relationship between children’s health and learning which was attended by academics, practitioners and policy makers from around the globe. He is an expert reviewer for the European Framework 7 Research Programme for the strand ‘Farm to Fork’ and has additionally been nominated by the University of Hull for a Queen’s Anniversary Trust Award.

Lars McNaughton is an Exercise Physiologist Professor with an interest in human health and performance and how improving nutrition can impact in these two broad areas.  He has published over 150 papers in the area and is currently undertaking research work in low and high glycaemic index foods and how exercise and other stresses can improve diabetes patients’ treatment.  He is Head of the Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science.        

Dr. Julie Jomeen is qualified nurse and midwife, who has worked at all clinical levels and a strategic level within a women and children’s health department of a large acute trust. Currently, Associate, Dean for Research and Scholarship, in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Hull.  She has overall responsibility for the development and growth of research activity within the Faculty. She has extensive research experience across both nursing and midwifery. Her work exploring contemporary issues in infant feeding has led to excellent relationships with Danone nutrition. She is a member of University and NHS, National and International research committees.

Samantha Nabb is a Health Psychologist and lecturer within the Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science.  She has keen interest and experience investigating the psychological (emotional and cognitive) and physiological (health and exercise) impact and response to functional foods and food choice.  She also has experience investigating and treating psychological distress associated with cardiovascular complications of illness and an interest in the psychological effects of obesity and other health complaints.

Rebecca Vince is a lecturer/research scientist within the Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science. She has a background in Biomedical Science and is currently the module leader teaching Ageing, Obesity and Health. She has diverse research interests including endothelial function and the impact of stress/disease in the disruption of haemostasis and induction of heat shock proteins and their possible protective role in disease progression.

Duane Mellor, is an academic dietitian who is additionally registered as a sports and exercise nutritionist at the University of Hull, working towards a PhD investigating the beneficial effects of bioactive compounds in chocolate on cardiovascular risk in diabetes. He has over 10 years experience in the management of diabetes and obesity through nutritional interventions. Having recognised the need for education to help empower change in an individual’s eating behaviour to aid self management of chronic disease, he was instrumental in developing a Masters programme in diabetes management through education.