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Professor Caroline Orfila

Professor Caroline Orfila

  • Position: Professor of Plant Biochemistry and Nutrition
  • Areas of expertise: plant biochemistry; nutrition; polysaccharides; plant cell walls; fibre analysis; fibre and health; starch; mechanical properties/texture; edible plants; cereals; legumes; fruits; tubers.
  • Email: C.Orfila@leeds.ac.uk
  • Phone: +44(0)113 343 2966
  • Location: G.14 Stead House
  • Website: Twitter | LinkedIn | Googlescholar | Researchgate | ORCID

Profile

My research group aims to understand the role of food carbohydrates (sugars, starch, fibre) on health and disease. The focus is on understanding pre- and post-harvest processing effects on nutritional quality and safety of a range of plant crops, including legume and cereal seeds, tubers, fruits and vegetables. I am particularly interested in using low cost agricultural and food processing methods to reduce waste and enhance the nutritional quality diets.

Responsibilities

  • Associate Director of the Food and Environment Institute

Research interests

  • Plant cell walls and impact on texture and nutritional quality
  • Fibre and health
  • Starch digestion and health
  • Plant foods (cereals, legumes, fruits, tubers)
  • Post-harvest losses
  • Diet and quality of life
  • Waste valorisation
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • BSc Biochemistry and Food Science (University of Leeds)
  • PhD in Plant Sciences (University of Leeds)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Northumbria University)

Professional memberships

  • Registered Nutritionist (Association for Nutrition)
  • Nutrition Society (Member)
  • Higher Education Academy (Fellow)

Student education

My teaching focuses on educating learners on the principles of nutrition and nutritional biochemistry at undergraduate and postgraduate level. I use a research-led approach, using examples from my own research to equip learners with skills to evaluate scientific evidence.

Research groups and institutes

  • Nutrition and Public Health
  • Functional Biopolymers for Food and Health
  • Human Nutrition and Lifestyle Intervention
  • Digestion and Delivery
  • Food safety, food security and global health
  • Sustainable Food Systems

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>