Cath Conlon | |
---|---|
![]() Conlon in 2008 | |
Born | Cathryn Anne Conlon |
Academic background | |
Alma mater | University of Sheffield |
Thesis | |
Academic work | |
Institutions | Massey University |
Doctoral students | Kathryn Beck |
Cathryn Anne Conlon is a New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in maternal and early-life nutrition.
Conlon completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of London, followed by a Master of Medical Science and a PhD at the University of Sheffield. She first worked as a paediatric nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital before her interest in nutrition in babies led her to move into academia.[1] Her PhD thesis, completed in 2003, was titled The efficacy of the antioxidants α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in preventing lipid peroxidation of parenteral lipid emulsions administered to premature babies.[2] Conlon then joined the faculty of Massey University, rising to full professor in 2023.[3]
Conlon researches nutrition in pregnant women and in early life. Conlon's research has shown that less than a third of pregnant women in New Zealand were getting the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.[4] She also research how kiwifruit could improve iron intake in iron-deficient women, with student Kathryn Beck.[5] She was an invited expert on the technical group advising the Ministry of Health on the maternal and infant dietary guidelines.[3] Conlon also researches infant and toddler nutrition, researching topics such as baby-led weaning and how to increase the acceptance of vegetables.[1][6] In 2017, Conlon featured in the TVNZ1 documentary The secret lives of fussy eaters, alongside colleagues Emily Jones, a speech and language therapist, and Reena Soniassy-Unkovich.[7]
Conlon is an associate investigator at the Riddet Institute, a Centre of Research Excellence based at Massey.[8]
As of 2024, Conlon is vice-president of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand.[9]
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