The aim of this research group would be to support and promote research exploring the role of diet, and lifestyle factors in mental health and wellbeing. Our group serves as a collaborative platform for research undertaken in both Psychology and Life Sciences, and includes topics investigating the complex links between diet, nutrition, and lifestyle in mental and physical health, including cognition and brain function, mental health disorders, and prevention and intervention strategies to support health and wellbeing across the lifespan/ from childhood to adulthood.
Main contact:
Christle Coxon
Lecturer
Christle’s work aims to understand the relationship between human behaviour and health, focusing on the complex mechanisms influencing eating behaviour and health outcomes. Her research explores the connections between diet, lifestyle and mental and sleep health outcomes, and exploring the factors contributing to the development of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviour, such as overeating and obesity.
Current projects: https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/christle-coxon
Leigh Gibson
Leigh’s research investigates the complex interplay between appetite, food choice, stress, health, and cognitive-emotional well-being, emphasizing the psychological and physiological mechanisms influencing dietary habits and exploring how nutrition and stress impact brain function and cardiovascular health.
Current projects: Leigh Gibson — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Cecilia Essau
Cecilia’s research specializes in the fields of Developmental Psychopathology and Cross-cultural Psychology, with an emphasis on child and adolescent mental health. Her extensive research covers topics such as the comorbidity of psychopathology, prevention and intervention strategies, and the promotion of mental health literacy. Notably, her work has established strong international collaborations and embraces diverse cultural contexts.
Current projects: Cecilia Essau — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Christophe Cleese
Christophe’s research interests and expertise lie in the fields of Psychological Medicine and psychosomatic studies, with a focus on exploring the determinants of recovery for psychiatric inpatients. Additionally, he specializes in the areas of psychosexuality and psychodynamic studies.
Current projects: Christophe Clesse – Projects — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Karen Brandt
Karen’s research interests lie within the domains of memory, ageing and mental health. Her recently funded research projects include improving memory in older participants using tDCS (PI, British Academy, awarded March 2023), improving mental health in older participants using a cognitive intervention tool (PI, NIHR patient and public involvement and PI, University of Roehampton UKRI funds, 2022) and the effects of heat stress on cognitive performance (Co-I,University of Roehampton UKRI funds, 2022).
Current projects: Kaz Brandt — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Paul Faulkner
Paul's research aims to understand the neural and neurochemical mechanisms of cognitive deficits in substance use disorder and mood disorders. This work is particularly aimed at understanding those deficits that promote symptoms of such disorders, including deficits in emotion regulation and maladaptive decision-making, and how to alleviate these deficits in order to improve wellbeing.
Current projects: Paul Faulkner — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Marco Sandrini
Marco’s research aims to determine the brain mechanisms mediating human memory in young and older adults. His long-term research goal is to develop effective interventions aimed at reducing memory decline in individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Current projects: Marco Sandrini – Projects — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Renata Sadibolova
Renata’s research aims to understand the mechanisms underlying human time perception, with a particular focus on dopamine dynamics and implications for various conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease
Current projects: Renata Sadibolova – Projects — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Adele Costabile
Adele’s research integrates nutrition, microbiology and health sciences to understand how dietary interventions and gut health impact physical and mental health outcomes, including cardiovascular health, inflammatory status and overall wellbeing.
Current projects: Adele Costabile – Research output — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Simon Dyall
Simon’s Neuroactive Lipids Lab investigates the neuroprotective properties of bioactive lipids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, across the lifespan and after neurotrauma. The studies in development and ageing have looked at a variety of key indices including, glutamatergic system, cannabinoid signalling, retinoid signalling, (neuro)inflammation, oxidative stress and neurogenesis. These studies have helped elucidate some specific mechanisms of action which may underlie their beneficial effects. The work on neurotrauma has investigated spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury, and traumatic brain injury. Important therapeutic effects have been found, and there is considerable potential for translation to the clinic.
Current projects: Simon Dyall — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Michael Patterson
Michael’s research investigates physiological mechanisms governing energy homeostasis, focusing on central nervous system regulation and gastrointestinal peptide signalling pathways. Their work aims to understand hunger and satiety signalling, particularly exploring peptides like ghrelin, oxyntomodulin, PYY, and GLP-1, with implications for obesity and type 2 diabetes therapies.
Current projects: Michael Patterson — University of Roehampton Research Explorer
Piril Hepsomali [External collaboration]
Investigating the link between affective and cognitive impairments and mental health and lifestyle factors. Further exploring non-pharmacological approaches, particularly dietary interventions, to ameliorate these impairments.
Dr Piril HepsomalI | Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences (reading.ac.uk)
Staff: Cecilia Essau, Leigh Gibson, Simon Dyall, Michael Patterson, Christophe Cleese, Adele Costabile, Renata Marco Sandrini, Paul Faulkner, Piril Hepsomali, Karen Brandt
Students: Evren Morgul, George Nash