An investigation into the effects of maternal nutritional status on essential fatty acid transfer during pregnancy and lactation, and its implications for neurodevelopment in infancy

Maureen is a clinical nutritionist with interests in maternal, infant and young child nutrition: specifically, the effects of nutritional status and deficiencies on birth and health outcomes, as well as the interaction between nutrition and infection. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree that will progress into a research project under the supervision of Dr James Berkeley and Professor Andrew Prentice. This study aims to find out whether undernourished pregnant women have a deficiency in essential fatty acids. The goal is to determine the level of essential fatty acids in the breast milk of malnourished mothers, and whether maternal under-nutrition affects the essential fatty acid status and neurodevelopment of their infants.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Master's Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.