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Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre

The Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre (BPNRC) has earned an international reputation for its research examining the relationship between nutritional interventions and behaviour.

Under the leadership of its director, Dr. Philippa Jackson, the BPNRC has firmly established itself at the forefront of nutritional neuroscience research. Our goal is to provide the right environment to facilitate the highest standards of research and our excellent facilities and resources are geared towards the high demands required for fully auditable controlled-trial research.

For over a decade our research has encompassed a broad spectrum of carefully controlled trials which have assessed the neurocognitive effects of the most basic units of brain fuel - oxygen and glucose - as well as investigations of the cognitive mechanisms and mood effects of herbal extracts, psychoactive components, nutraceuticals, phytochemicals and food supplements. More recently we have been exploring the interface between nutritional interventions, cognitive performance and physiological parameters including cerebral blood flow and energy expenditure.

We have a successful history of collaborations with both universities and industrial partners based in the UK and around the globe. Staff from within the centre have published a wide range of journal articles and book chapters and are frequently invited to present work at major national and international conferences.

For more information on BPNRC, please visit www.nutrition-neuroscience.com

Staff members

Philippa Jackson
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Dr Philippa Jackson

Associate Professor

Psychology

Staff Placeholder
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Dr Sarah Docherty

Lecturer

Psychology

Staff Placeholder
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Dr Fiona Dodd

Research Fellow

Psychology

Joanne Forster
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Joanne Forster

Postgraduate Associate

Psychology

Crystal Ramsay
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Prof Crystal Ramsay

Professor

Psychology

Mark Moss
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Dr Mark Moss

Head of Department

Psychology

Ellen Smith
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Dr Ellen Smith

Postgraduate Associate

Psychology

Tamlyn Watermeyer
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Dr Tamlyn Watermeyer

Assistant Professor

Psychology

Emma Wightman
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Dr Emma Wightman

Associate Professor

Psychology

Student members


Research at Northumbria
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Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

a book shelf filled with books
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a laptop computer sitting on top of a table
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Research Staff Profiles

Our students learn from the best – inspirational academic staff with a genuine passion for their subject, whose teaching is shaped by world-leading and internationally excellent research.

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Upcoming events

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Towards Relational Public Services Conference 2024
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