Dr Caroline Elizabeth Childs BSc (Hons) PhD RNutr
Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences
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Dr Caroline Childs is Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences within Medicine at the University of Southampton.
Dr Caroline Childs' research investigates the effect of nutrition upon the immune system. Her BSc (Hons) Nutritional Sciences (1st class) from the University of Southampton was followed by PhD research on “The effect of gender, pregnancy and diet upon tissue fatty acid composition and immune function”. She undertook two postdoctoral nutrition research projects in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, and during this time was named as one of the top three young investigators in Lipids and Nutrition at the International Society for the Study of Fatty acids and Lipids conference.
Dr Childs’ research to date has investigated nutrients including dietary fatty acids, probiotics, and prebiotics. Experimental approaches have included assessment tissue composition, immune function, inflammatory status, immunosenescence, and the gut microbiota. Her scientific reputation has resulted in numerous invitations to speak at both national and international events and conferences, and Dr Childs is currently a Member of the ILSI Europe Expert Group on Immune Competence and Co-Chair of ILSI Europe’s Nutrition, Immunity and Inflammation Task Force.
Dr Childs holds considerable expertise in flow cytometry, and led a working group responsible for the development of flow cytometry facilities at the University of Reading, and was appointed as a specialist advisor to the Food Standards Agency on the conduct and interpretation of analytical flow cytometry.
In 2018 Dr Childs received both the student-nominated SUSU Faculty of Medicine most engaging lecturer award and the staff-nominated Faculty of Medicine teaching award. Colleagues nominated Dr Childs for teaching excellence in BM5, BM6 and MSc Public Health, and for her outreach activities including inspiring school age children via LifeLab’s ‘Meet the Scientist’ sessions.
Dr Childs is an academic integrity officer for the Faculty of Medicine and member of Communications Committee of Institute of Developmental Sciences. Her external education commitments include a post as external examiner for the BSc Biology of Health and Disease at Liverpool John Moores University, and visiting lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire.
Dr Childs has an active role in professional societies, and is a Nutrition Society Ambassador for the University of Southampton, and is South East Regional Representative for the Association for Nutrition. Dr Childs is Associate Editor on the Editorial Board of Nutritional Immunology, a specialty of Frontiers in Immunology and Nutrition, and an Editorial Board member of The Journal of Nutrition and Nutrition Bulletin.
Qualifications:
- (2016) Registered Nutritionist, Association for Nutrition
- (2015) Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- (2009) PhD, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton
- (2004) BSc (Hons), Nutritional Sciences, University of Southampton
Appointments held:
- (2016 – now) Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton
- (2014-2018) Specialist advisor on the conduct and interpretation of analytical flow cytometry, Food Standards Agency
- (2015-2016) Clinical Trial Project Manager, University of Southampton, MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit
- (2014-2015) Lecturer in Diet and Nutrition, Southampton Solent University
- (2013-2015) Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Southampton
- (2008-2013) Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Reading
