Project description

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.

Transferrable Skills

Present findings at national and international meetings, including the International Conference on Food Digestion, European Congress on Obesity, British Obesity and Metabolic Specialist Society ASM.

Writing and submitting academic publications.

Join the INFOGEST international digestion‑modelling network.

Build interdisciplinary collaborations across respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, dietetics and food science.

Participate in entrepreneurial and public‑engagement initiatives (YES, iTeams, Norwich Research Park networks).

Develop experience and skills in patient and public involvement (PPI) in research.

Entry requirements

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

Funding

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

References

i) Myint PK, Wilson AM, Clark AB, Luben RN, Wareham NJ, Khaw KT. Plasma vitamin C concentrations and risk of incident respiratory diseases and mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk population-based cohort study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019 Jan 31
ii) Devereux G, Wilson A, Avenell A, McNeill G, Fraser WD. A case-control study of vitamin D status and asthma in adults. Allergy 2010 May;65(5):666-7
iii) Dobbie LJ*, Parretti HM*, Fallows E, Le Brocq S, De Giorgio S, McGowan B, Patel DC. 10 Top Tips for the Management of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Adults within Primary Care. Obesity Facts 2025, doi.org/10.1159/000546472
iv) O'Kane M, Parretti HM, Pinkney J, Welbourn R, Hughes C A, Mok J, Walker N, Thomas D, Devin J, Coulman KD, Pinnock G, Batterham R L, Mahawar KK, Sharma M, Blakemore AI, McMillan I, Barth, JH. BOMSS Guidelines on peri-operative and postoperative biochemical monitoring and micronutrient replacement for patients undergoing bariatric surgery - 2020 Update. Obes. Rev. 2020; doi.org/10.1111/obr.13087
v) Cai M, Tejpal S, Tashkova M, Ryden P, Perez-Moral N, Saha S, Garcia-Perez I, Serrano Contreras J, Wist J, Holmes E, Bernal A, Dou B, Becker G, Frost S, Edwards CH (2025) Upper-Gastrointestinal Tract Metabolite Profile Regulates Glycaemic and Satiety Responses to Meals with Contrasting Structure: A Pilot Study. Nature Metabolism https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01309-7

Nutrient Intake, Bioaccessibility and Dietary Supplement Innovation During GLP 1 Therapy in Obesity Related Asthma (WilsonA_U26FMH)

Welcome to Norwich

Project description

Entry requirements

Funding

References