PhD Studentship: Nutrient Intake, Bioaccessibility and Dietary Supplement Innovation During GLP 1 Therapy in Obesity Related Asthma

About the Project

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD investigating how GLP‑1/GIP agonist therapy affects nutrient intake, nutrient bioaccessibility and micronutrient status in adults with obesity‑related asthma. As GLP‑1 therapies become increasingly common, it is essential to understand whether appetite suppression, altered taste and dietary changes contribute to measurable nutrient insufficiencies. Early evidence highlights potential reductions in vitamin D, iron and calcium, but causality cannot be inferred from observational studies alone. This PhD will address this gap through integrated mechanistic, dietary and clinical analyses embedded within a double‑blind randomised controlled trial of tirzepatide.

Project Description

You will analyse Intake24 dietary recall data collected during the trial to quantify energy and nutrient intake patterns in people with asthma and overweight/obesity. These data will be linked with serum micronutrient markers (vitamin D, iron indices, calcium, B vitamins and trace elements) to determine whether micronutrient reductions arise from reduced intake, altered food choice or reduced nutrient bioaccessibility.

A unique component of this project is the opportunity to work within the Edwards Group at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB). Using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion models, you will assess digestive bioaccessibility of nutrients from commonly consumed foods and identify structural barriers to nutrient release. Drawing on these mechanistic insights, you will also help to develop and test prototype nutritional supplements or modified food‑structure formulations aimed at correcting deficiencies identified. Examples may include adapting pulse‑based ingredients, incorporating targeted micronutrients or modifying food matrices to enhance nutrient liberation during digestion.

Supervisory Team

Andrew Wilson (Norwich Medical School) is a leading respiratory clinical researcher with extensive experience in asthma risk‑stratification, nutritional intervention studies, and multicentre trials. He will advise on trial‑embedded research methods and clinical interpretation.

Cathrina Edwards (QIB) leads pioneering research into plant‑based food structure and nutrient release during digestion. Her group has developed translational innovations such as PulseON®, which improves metabolic responses by slowing digestion. She will supervise the mechanistic and laboratory‑based components of the PhD.

Helen Parretti (Norwich Medical School) is a GP, Clinical Associate Professor and obesity specialist with expertise in primary‑care‑based obesity‑management interventions and national obesity guideline development.

Training & Research Environment

You will join the multidisciplinary research environment at QIB, gaining training in nutritional science, food‑structure analysis, digestion modelling and dietary data interpretation. You will learn to use Nutritics for nutrient modelling and undertake hands‑on digestion studies using ethically approved masticated food samples. The project also provides the opportunity to work closely with the Norwich Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU), developing skills in trial governance, data quality, outcome‑measure design and clinical research methodology.

Entry requirements

Biochemistry 2:1; Molecular Biology 2:1; Nutritional science 2:1 or Dietetics 2:1; Biomedical sciences 2:1.

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

1 October 2026

Additional Funding Information

This project is fully funded for 3 years. Funding includes tuition fees, an annual tax-free maintenance allowance and a research training support budget.

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