Dr Caroline Elizabeth Childs BSc (Hons) PhD RNutr
Associate Professor in Nutritional Sciences
- Related links
- ResearchGate
Dr Caroline Childs is Programme Lead of the BM6 Programme within Medicine at the University of Southampton.
Dr Caroline Childs' research investigates the effect of nutrition upon the immune system.
There is clear evidence that nutrition can benefit your immune system - both by providing the building blocks and energy required for it to function properly, but also indirectly by interacting with your microbiome
Dr Childs’ 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.
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. She is deputy academic lead of the Flow Cytometry Core Facility based in the Faculty of Medicine.
Dr Childs has received both student and peer-nominated teaching awards. From student nominations she received the SUSU Faculty of Medicine most engaging lecturer award (Winner 2018), and Faculty of Medicine best pastoral support (Highly commended, 2020). In 2018 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. Her external education commitments include a post as external examiner for Liverpool John Moores University and Queen Mary University of London.
Dr Childs has an active role in professional societies, and is a Nutrition Society Ambassador for the University of Southampton, and a 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 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:
- (2022 – now) Associate Professor in Nutritional Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton
- (2016 – 2022) 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
