My main research interest is the association between diet, overweigh and obesity and cardiovascular disease risks. During my previous PhD and post-doctoral work, I was involved in both pan European and Department of Health funded projects that aimed to investigate the impact of dietary components on cardiovascular disease risk in different population groups. Specific interests included the impact of dietary saturated, monounsaturated and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and flavonoids on vascular function, inflammation and lipoprotein metabolism. As a postdoctoral fellow I also led a BBSRC project to investigate the impact of flavonoids on neuroinflammation.  Through these research projects I gained experience in both clinical and cell studies.

In my current academic position, I design and supervise final year student research projects that aim to investigate associations and/or impact of diet and other environmental factors on overweigh, obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. I have also developed a recent research interest in nutrition in early years and nutritional issues in people receiving meals on wheels.

Dr Katerina Vafeiadou joined the University of Hertfordshire in August 2013. She is a registered Nutritionist (RNutr) with the Association for Nutition (AfN) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Currently Katerina is the Programme Leader of the BSc(Hons) Nutrition and contributes to the teaching of both our undergraduate Nutrition and Dietetics courses. Her primary aim is to deliver innovative and research based teaching to Nutrition and Dietetics students, constanly monitor and improve teaching practices and enhance students overall experience at Herts!

Katerina is also the placement and work experience tutor for the BSc(Hons) Nutrition course. Within this role she develops partnerships with local employers, supports final year students in identifying work experience opportunities and second year students in applying for sandwich placements. Katerina is also the Study Abroad tutor and supports second year students with applying for this exciting opportunity that UH has to offer.

Prior to joining the University of Hertfordshire Katerina completed her undergraduate studies at the Aristotle Universiy of Thessaloniki in Greece, post-graduate studies (MSc and PhD) at the University of Reading and worked for several years as a post-doctoral fellow in research projects that investigated the impact of dietary components on management of cardiovascular disease risk and neurodegeneration.