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Head of Department - Food & Markets, Professor in Food Science and Nutrition
Food and Markets Department
Dr. Zand is an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of infant nutrition she is the author of several peer reviewed publications and is frequently invited to deliver plenary and other invited lectures at major symposia and at international conferences on food and nutrition. She is regularly engaged with the media, including the BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5 as an expert in food science and nutrition. Her recent commentary on Food Poverty in the Evening Standard as part of their Food Hunger December 2020 campaign was very well received.
As well as a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management (Inst.LM) Dr Zand is also a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (FIFST) providing food and nutrition advice to both the public and private sector such as Kent, Lewisham and Greenwich councils. She is frequently invited to contribute to food related projects including Good Food in Greenwich (GFIG), promotion of healthy nutrition in relation to early life development such as “Eating Well: first year of life Practical guide” published by the Caroline Walker Trust and “Baby food in the UK” First Step Nutrition. Dr Zand's research has also been referenced in Public Health England (2019) rapid scoping review examining the role and impact of commercial baby foods and drinks on the diets of children aged 4 months.
Dr Zand has on-going engagements with large multi-national companies through to small regional SMEs developing new protocols for analytical based optimizations of the nutritional quality of new food products. She has also worked on health claims, labelling and legislation, the application of modified atmosphere packaging in prolonging post-harvest shelf-life and waste reduction of perishable food. Dr Zand also has expertise the analysis of food and the effective implementation of appropriate Total Management Quality Systems /HACCP. She is the badge holder of Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8 Lead Auditor and is currently responsible for the accreditation of the ASL laboratory services at the university against ISO 17025:2017.
Dr Zand is member of Kent and Medway NHS Trust Joint Research Collaboration group, All Party Parliamentary Food and Health Forum, and has recently been invited to talk on infant feeding in the UK. She is currently a member of the Research award board of Coeliac UK and is also a Food Standard Agency registered specialist, joining the board of reviewers of the Journal of Foods (JFOOD) (2020). This is in addition to previously serving as a Guest Editor for a Special issue on Infant and Child Nutrition (2015) for JFOOD, Associate Editor (2016) for Food Processing and Technology (MOJFPD), and as an Editorial Board Member for Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition (JPANS).
Dr. Zand regularly provides food and nutrition advice to both the public and private sectors such as to Kent, Lewisham and Greenwich councils. Understanding how science can be used to influence and test policy and to achieve concrete impacts to benefit people has been a vital part of this engagement.
Dr. Zand views her first published work in 2011 as a corner stone of my academic career, number 18 on my list of publication. The paper and its key findings has been translated into a number of languages by the international media and scientific community e.g. NY Times and Royal College of Midwifery. this paper and other related outputs have subsequently lead to her making a significant contribution to the development of policies and guidelines for infant feeding by Public Health England.
Dr. Zand has supported Childhood Obesity Foundation in their “sugar reduction” campaign by attending the UK Parliamentary health select committee accompanying Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstall in 2019.
Dr. Zand is frequently invited to contribute to a number of food related projects including “Good Food in Greenwich (GFIG)”. She is an active Member of the Academic Network of Healthy Weight and Physical Activity organised by Office for Health Improvement and Disparities as well as the South East Creating Healthy and Sustainable places network (SECHSPN).
In 2018 Dr. Zand was invited to the Mayor’s workshop on Whole system approach on issues around obesity. In March 2021, she was invited by both KCC and Medway council to attend workshop on the Whole Systems: working towards fit and healthy Kent.
Dr. Zand is a member of Joint Research collaboration group at Kent & Medway NHS trust, providing research support for clinician in the intense hospital Environment. A recent example includes Leading research on the role of Vit D on severity and prognosis of covid positive patients prior to development of any treatment in ICU at Medway hospital, which has produced a manuscript currently under review at British Medical Journal.
Her experience and contribution to impact includes:
1. Her published research on infant nutrition is helping design and formulate anew range of commercial infant foods under the Little Tummy Ltd and Piccolo Ltd brands.
2. She was a leading contributor to the UK first infant feeding Guideline by Caroline Walker Trust, Eating Well: first year of life practical guide (2016) ISBN 978-1-89-782045-2
3. Her research has contributed to a Public Health England (2019) rapid scoping review examining the role and impact of
commercial baby foods and drinks on the diets of children aged 4 36 months https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/812205/Foods_and_drinks_aimed_at_infants_and_young_children_Ap
4. Contribution to Lewisham Public Health in their Community Cookery programme such as MEND, a programme which works with overweight children and their parents on areas such as exercise and diet also for her work in helping people make the right nutritional choices.
5. Supporting Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency GCDA in development various initiatives and support social enterprises such Delicious most Nutritious (DmN) and Downham Nutrition Partnership (DNP).
6. She was part of a collaborative Investigation into Early stage role of vitamin D in 60 Covid patients in ICU, Medway Hospital which is currently under review with British Medical Journal.
7. She is an Active and contributing member of the South East Public Health England Healthy Living and Sustainable Environment Network.
8. She is an Active and contributing member of the Whole system approach: working towards fit and healthy Kent; a workshop organised by KCC.
9. She is an Active and contributing member of the Healthy Weight Network based in Medway Council.
Dr. Zand is the founding programme leader for the M.Sc in Food Innovation and Food Innovation with Industrial placement. Both programmes have significant industrial input and attract students from all over the world.
Dr Zand also contributes to number of programmes in science to include Human Nutrition & Health, Biomed and Formulation Science.
She also mentors students in the Business challenge and various boot camps delivered by the Powerhouse and the Generator at Greenwich.
Dr. Zand is a member of the all-party parliamentary group on food and nutrition. Dr. Zand is frequently invited to contribute to TV programmes relating to food and nutrition.
Dr. Zand has a leading profile in Food and Nutrition as evidenced by:
1. Fellowship holder and the Winner of the Institute of Food Science and Technology International Women in Science Award 2021.
2. University Alliance Media champion; I make frequent national Media appearances on major TV programmes including BBC1, Morning Live, BBC2 Horizon, Chanel 4 Food Unwrapped and Channel 5, Supermarket food. My commentary on Food Poverty was highlighted in national and regional Newspapers including the Evening Standard and The Independent in Dec 2020 was also reported internationally by MSN and Yahoo News. I am a respected “go to” expert to discuss current issues in food and nutrition in both the Public and Private Sectors i.e Charity organisations, Councils and Accelerator Programmes.
3. Member of an All Party Parliamentary Food and Health Forum where I was invited to speak at the UK Parliament on issues concerning infant feeding in the UK, July 2020.
4. Member of the Research Award Board for Coeliac UK. I am on my second cycle on the board of this grant awarding body.
5. Member of the Kent and Medway NHS Trust Joint Research Collaboration Group.
6. Awarded Honorary Staff Contract with Kent and Medway NHS Trust in recognition of my contribution to the work of the Trust.
7. Member of the editorial board of the international journal of Journal of Foods (JFOOD) (2020), in addition to previously serving as a Guest Editor for a Special issue on Infant and Child Nutrition (2015) for JFOOD, Associate Editor (2016) for Food Processing and Technology (MOJFPD), and as an Editorial Board Member for Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition (JPANS).
8. I have delivered invited plenary lectures relating to my field of expertise, infant nutrition, in Thailand (2018), in the US twice (2013 & 2014) and in Canada (2012).
9. Member and Chair of the organising committee at 4th International Food Technology Conference, London, 2015, UK. 10. Chair of preliminary lectures on Probiotic/Fatty Acids in food matters live Nov 2014.
10. Chair of preliminary lectures on Probiotic/Fatty Acids in food matters live Nov 2014.
Recent TV appearances include:
Series of Healthy Eating Talks at Schools:
Awarded
Dr. Zand is an internationally acclaimed expert in the field of infant nutrition she is the author of several peer reviewed publications and is frequently invited to deliver plenary and other invited lectures at major symposia and at international conferences on food and nutrition. She is regularly engaged with the media, including the BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5 as an expert in food science and nutrition. Her recent commentary on Food Poverty in the Evening Standard as part of their Food Hunger December 2020 campaign was very well received.
As well as a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management (Inst.LM) Dr Zand is also a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science & Technology (FIFST) providing food and nutrition advice to both the public and private sector such as Kent, Lewisham and Greenwich councils. She is frequently invited to contribute to food related projects including Good Food in Greenwich (GFIG), promotion of healthy nutrition in relation to early life development such as “Eating Well: first year of life Practical guide” published by the Caroline Walker Trust and “Baby food in the UK” First Step Nutrition. Dr Zand's research has also been referenced in Public Health England (2019) rapid scoping review examining the role and impact of commercial baby foods and drinks on the diets of children aged 4 months.
Dr Zand has on-going engagements with large multi-national companies through to small regional SMEs developing new protocols for analytical based optimizations of the nutritional quality of new food products. She has also worked on health claims, labelling and legislation, the application of modified atmosphere packaging in prolonging post-harvest shelf-life and waste reduction of perishable food. Dr Zand also has expertise the analysis of food and the effective implementation of appropriate Total Management Quality Systems /HACCP. She is the badge holder of Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8 Lead Auditor and is currently responsible for the accreditation of the ASL laboratory services at the university against ISO 17025:2017.
Dr Zand is member of Kent and Medway NHS Trust Joint Research Collaboration group, All Party Parliamentary Food and Health Forum, and has recently been invited to talk on infant feeding in the UK. She is currently a member of the Research award board of Coeliac UK and is also a Food Standard Agency registered specialist, joining the board of reviewers of the Journal of Foods (JFOOD) (2020). This is in addition to previously serving as a Guest Editor for a Special issue on Infant and Child Nutrition (2015) for JFOOD, Associate Editor (2016) for Food Processing and Technology (MOJFPD), and as an Editorial Board Member for Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition (JPANS).
Dr. Zand regularly provides food and nutrition advice to both the public and private sectors such as to Kent, Lewisham and Greenwich councils. Understanding how science can be used to influence and test policy and to achieve concrete impacts to benefit people has been a vital part of this engagement.
Dr. Zand views her first published work in 2011 as a corner stone of my academic career, number 18 on my list of publication. The paper and its key findings has been translated into a number of languages by the international media and scientific community e.g. NY Times and Royal College of Midwifery. this paper and other related outputs have subsequently lead to her making a significant contribution to the development of policies and guidelines for infant feeding by Public Health England.
Dr. Zand has supported Childhood Obesity Foundation in their “sugar reduction” campaign by attending the UK Parliamentary health select committee accompanying Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstall in 2019.
Dr. Zand is frequently invited to contribute to a number of food related projects including “Good Food in Greenwich (GFIG)”. She is an active Member of the Academic Network of Healthy Weight and Physical Activity organised by Office for Health Improvement and Disparities as well as the South East Creating Healthy and Sustainable places network (SECHSPN).
In 2018 Dr. Zand was invited to the Mayor’s workshop on Whole system approach on issues around obesity. In March 2021, she was invited by both KCC and Medway council to attend workshop on the Whole Systems: working towards fit and healthy Kent.
Dr. Zand is a member of Joint Research collaboration group at Kent & Medway NHS trust, providing research support for clinician in the intense hospital Environment. A recent example includes Leading research on the role of Vit D on severity and prognosis of covid positive patients prior to development of any treatment in ICU at Medway hospital, which has produced a manuscript currently under review at British Medical Journal.
Her experience and contribution to impact includes:
1. Her published research on infant nutrition is helping design and formulate anew range of commercial infant foods under the Little Tummy Ltd and Piccolo Ltd brands.
2. She was a leading contributor to the UK first infant feeding Guideline by Caroline Walker Trust, Eating Well: first year of life practical guide (2016) ISBN 978-1-89-782045-2
3. Her research has contributed to a Public Health England (2019) rapid scoping review examining the role and impact of
commercial baby foods and drinks on the diets of children aged 4 36 months https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/812205/Foods_and_drinks_aimed_at_infants_and_young_children_Ap
4. Contribution to Lewisham Public Health in their Community Cookery programme such as MEND, a programme which works with overweight children and their parents on areas such as exercise and diet also for her work in helping people make the right nutritional choices.
5. Supporting Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency GCDA in development various initiatives and support social enterprises such Delicious most Nutritious (DmN) and Downham Nutrition Partnership (DNP).
6. She was part of a collaborative Investigation into Early stage role of vitamin D in 60 Covid patients in ICU, Medway Hospital which is currently under review with British Medical Journal.
7. She is an Active and contributing member of the South East Public Health England Healthy Living and Sustainable Environment Network.
8. She is an Active and contributing member of the Whole system approach: working towards fit and healthy Kent; a workshop organised by KCC.
9. She is an Active and contributing member of the Healthy Weight Network based in Medway Council.
Dr. Zand is the founding programme leader for the M.Sc in Food Innovation and Food Innovation with Industrial placement. Both programmes have significant industrial input and attract students from all over the world.
Dr Zand also contributes to number of programmes in science to include Human Nutrition & Health, Biomed and Formulation Science.
She also mentors students in the Business challenge and various boot camps delivered by the Powerhouse and the Generator at Greenwich.
Dr. Zand is a member of the all-party parliamentary group on food and nutrition. Dr. Zand is frequently invited to contribute to TV programmes relating to food and nutrition.
Dr. Zand has a leading profile in Food and Nutrition as evidenced by:
1. Fellowship holder and the Winner of the Institute of Food Science and Technology International Women in Science Award 2021.
2. University Alliance Media champion; I make frequent national Media appearances on major TV programmes including BBC1, Morning Live, BBC2 Horizon, Chanel 4 Food Unwrapped and Channel 5, Supermarket food. My commentary on Food Poverty was highlighted in national and regional Newspapers including the Evening Standard and The Independent in Dec 2020 was also reported internationally by MSN and Yahoo News. I am a respected “go to” expert to discuss current issues in food and nutrition in both the Public and Private Sectors i.e Charity organisations, Councils and Accelerator Programmes.
3. Member of an All Party Parliamentary Food and Health Forum where I was invited to speak at the UK Parliament on issues concerning infant feeding in the UK, July 2020.
4. Member of the Research Award Board for Coeliac UK. I am on my second cycle on the board of this grant awarding body.
5. Member of the Kent and Medway NHS Trust Joint Research Collaboration Group.
6. Awarded Honorary Staff Contract with Kent and Medway NHS Trust in recognition of my contribution to the work of the Trust.
7. Member of the editorial board of the international journal of Journal of Foods (JFOOD) (2020), in addition to previously serving as a Guest Editor for a Special issue on Infant and Child Nutrition (2015) for JFOOD, Associate Editor (2016) for Food Processing and Technology (MOJFPD), and as an Editorial Board Member for Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition (JPANS).
8. I have delivered invited plenary lectures relating to my field of expertise, infant nutrition, in Thailand (2018), in the US twice (2013 & 2014) and in Canada (2012).
9. Member and Chair of the organising committee at 4th International Food Technology Conference, London, 2015, UK. 10. Chair of preliminary lectures on Probiotic/Fatty Acids in food matters live Nov 2014.
10. Chair of preliminary lectures on Probiotic/Fatty Acids in food matters live Nov 2014.
Recent TV appearances include:
Series of Healthy Eating Talks at Schools:
Awarded
