My background is in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Nutrition. My research interests are wide ranging and often adapt based on what is topical in the field. Broadly speaking I am interested in lifestyle interventions (physical activity and diet) for the improvement of human health. I have a special interest in utilising these interventions for the prevention of disease, my PhD focussed on the prevention of cardio-metabolic disease through the supplementation of Montmorency tart cherries and exercise in humans with Metabolic Syndrome.

My research interests more specifically span the following topics:

• Health Benefits of Polyphenols, particularly Anthocyanins
• Exploring Health Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) 
• Lifestyle Interventions against Metabolic Syndrome
• Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Metabolic Disease
• Health and Climate Effects of Plant-Based Diets
• Ergogenic Aids in Sport
• Research in Table Tennis (Performance and Health)
• Climate Change and Health - Physiological Responses (Thermoregulation and Cooling)
• Identifying mechanisms behind interventions that improve health/wellbeing and sports performance (epigenetics and omics technologies)
• Transparency, Openness, and Replication in Sports Research

Dr. Terun Desai is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Nutrition.

Terun started at the University of Hertfordshire as a PhD student, completing a programme of work titled: Prevention is better than cure : cardio-metabolic responses to Montmorency tart cherry supplementation with and without exercise

Terun's duties combine teaching on the Sports and Nutrition programmes at the university a range on topics including Human and Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Research Methods and Statistics. These topics align with research interests in these field, with specific emphasis on the role of physical activity and diet as lifestyle interventions for health and wellbeing. 

Terun is an Early Career Researcher Representative for the School of Life and Medical Sciences, and also chair of the Physical Activity for Health Research Interest Group on the UKRI ECR Forum. Terun is an alumnus of the Doctorol Training Alliance and was co-chair of the Public Engagement and Social Media groups for the Biosciences for Health Programme.

Upon completion of PhD, Terun has been succesful in obtaining research grants from internal and external sources accruing £30k. Terun was also nomiated by the University of Hertforshire to submit for a Springboard grant funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences which is currently under review for the following project titled: Feasibility trial on the effects of long-term Montmorency tart cherry juice supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, £89,355, Non-clinical research fellowship.

Lastly, Terun is a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) with a specialism in Nutrition Science awarded by the Association for Nutrition, and a Fellow of the Higher Education (FHEA) awarded by Advance HE.

I am open to new collaborations in research, please contact me directly with any ideas!