Background
Isobel Greenhalgh received a BSc(Hons) and MRes in Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuroscience, respectively, from the University of St Andrews and University College London. Her PhD was undertaken at the University of Cambridge, in which she examined longitudinal infant neurocognitive development alongside maternal inflammatory biomarkers and nutrition. Measures used to assess infant neurodevelopment included functional near-infrared spectroscopy and the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale. Previously, Isobel also worked at Oxford University in the Department of Experimental Psychology, working on a project examining new methods of assessing very early infant neurodevelopment.

Main areas of research
Isobel’s research focuses on the associations between early nutritional status (across both maternal and infant diet), inflammatory responses, and neurocognitive development. Her research has considered more at-risk populations such as those born into lower socioeconomic households. As a postdoctoral researcher at the NGN, her work has pivoted to focus on human milk oligosaccharides, found in human breastmilk, and a cohort of infants born very preterm. Isobel is interested in examining modifiable variables which may associate with early developmental outcomes, and which may represent a path to intervention.

Ongoing Projects
Human Milk and the Neurodevelopment of Infants Born Very Preterm