College of Sciences staff by location (campus)

Contact details +6469516321

Prof Jane Coad BSc(Hons), PGCertEd, PhD

Professor

Doctoral Mentor Supervisor
School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences

Jane’s background in cell physiology and human nutrition has allowed the development of research strands which mean that an understanding of the physiological mechanisms by which dietary components act at the cellular level, using in vitro cell models e.g. intestinal organoids, can be applied to practical research projects. Her research on iron has ranged from investigation of cellular mechanisms to the development of novel infant foods with high iron bioavailability and human studies that investigate how apparently simple manipulations to the diet can affect nutrient status and health. Whilst her focus is on the cellular mechanisms involved, Jane’s research is strongly informed by, and potentially applicable to, public health nutrition and the development of safe food products.

After academic appointments at London University and the University of Surrey in the UK, Jane was appointed to Massey University in 2001 as Academic Leader in Human Nutrition to develop the BSc major in Human Nutrition. Until 2018, Jane led the Human Nutrition group and acted as director of the Division of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; subsequently she led the Nutrition Science group in SFAT. In 2002, Jane established the Human Nutrition Research Unit (HNRU) on the Manawatū campus which is used for teaching and research; it has excellent facilities for nutritional assessment and running clinical studies.

Jane presented the 2019 Nutrition Society NZ Muriel Bell Commemoration Lecture: “Nutrition in New Zealand: can the past offer lessons for the present and guidance for the future?” in which she presented the arguments to have a coherent national food strategy and to integrate nutrition and food-related disciplines to promote national food and nutrition security and enhance health and well-being.

Jane has over 100 research publications and is the lead author of internationally best-selling textbook, Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives (published by Elsevier), now in its 4th edition.

Jane is a former president of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand and currently a NSNZ-registered nutritionist (human nutrition: public health, education, and scientific research) and a professional member of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST).

Jane established the Human Nutrition Research Unit (HNRU) on the Manawatū campus for nutrition teaching and research in 2002; she continues to act as co-director of the HNRU.

Jane Coad is research professor in Nutrition Science in the School of Food & Advanced Technology. Her research focuses on mechanisms by which nutrients affect health, particularly conditions involving inflammation (e.g. osteoarthritis, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease) and cardiometabolic health (e.g. metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Jane has also carried out research into factors affecting maternal and infant health, healthy ageing and gut microbiota.

Jane is currently leading the National Science Challenges (NSC) High-Value Nutrition (HVN) research project “Effects of collagen hydrolysate on enhancing joint comfort, improving skin appearance and promoting recovery after sport”.

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Professional

Contact details

Ph: 83321
Location: RB A2.09, Riddet Building
Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (First class Honours) - University of London (1982)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education of Adults - University of Surrey (1996)
Doctor of Philosophy - University of London (1986)

Certifications and Registrations

Licence, Mentor Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Nutrition and wellbeing.

Chronic non-communicable diseases.

Inflammation

Cardiometabolic health. Diabetes.

Connective tissue. Joint and bone health.

Nutrition & gut health. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Coeliac Disease.

Micronutrient nutrition. Iron. Vitamin D. Iodine.

Maternal and infant nutrition. Complementary foods.

Public health nutrition.

Cellular models. Intestinal organoids.

Design of nutrition research studies

Research Opportunities

PhD position (with fully funded 3-year scholarship) (01/04/2022) To investigate the effect of a collagen product on joint comfort and skin condition.
2-year postdoctoral research position (0.5FTE) (01/04/2022) Part-time (0.5FTE) study coordinator position to work on research studies investigating the effect of collagen on joint comfort, skin condition and recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage.

Thematics

Health and Well-being, Future Food Systems

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Cell Physiology (111601): Medical And Health Sciences (110000): Medical Physiology (111600): Nutrition and Dietetics (111100): Nutrition and Dietetics not elsewhere classified (111199): Nutritional Physiology (111103): Public Nutrition Intervention (111104)

Keywords

Nutrition and wellbeing.

Chronic non-communicable diseases.

Cardiometabolic health. Diabetes.

Inflammation

Connective tissue. Joint and bone health.

Nutrition & gut health. Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Coeliac Disease.

Micronutrient nutrition. Iron. Vitamin D. Iodine.

Maternal and infant nutrition. Complementary foods.

Public health nutrition.

Cellular models. Intestinal organoids.

Design of nutrition research studies

Research Projects

Completed Projects

Project Title: Optimising cognitive function: the role of dietary and lifestyle patterns

The New Zealand population is ageing, with 21% of the population expected to be over 65 years by 2031. Age related cognitive decline is one of the most serious health issues faced as the world’s population ages. The preservation of optimal cognitive function for as long as possible is critical in ensuring successful ageing. The role of dietary and lifestyle factors are increasingly recognised in preventing cognitive decline. However, most studies have focussed on single nutrients (eg. omega 3) and foods (eg. fish). This has several limitations as people do not consume foods and nutrients in isolation but as combinations of foods and nutrients. In contrast, ‘dietary patterns’ (a relatively new approach to assessing dietary intake) capture the overall food matrix and complexity of the diet. Dietary patterns have been linked with a range of health outcomes, and more recently cognitive function in research from overseas. Few studies however have considered dietary patterns in the context of genetics and other lifestyle factors (eg. physical activity). Dietary patterns differ between countries therefore it is critical to gain an understanding of older New Zealander’s dietary patterns and their impact on cognition and metabolic health in the context of genetic and lifestyle factors.

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Date Range: 2017 - 2021

Funding Body: Health Research Council of New Zealand

Project Team:

Prof Kathryn Beck - Project Leader
Prof Cathryn Conlon - Team Member
Prof Jane Coad - Team Member
Prof Pamela Von Hurst - Team Member
Dr Beatrix Jones - Team Member

Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Graduate Supervision Statement

I enjoy mentoring and working with my research students. I view a PhD as a transition to being a fully-fledged researcher able to identify research gaps, design studies to address research questions and undertake all aspects of high-quality research. In addition, I expect a research student to gain valuable transferrable skills in critical thinking, project management, problem-solving and being able to work both independently and in a team. Many of my PhD students write publications during their PhD and several have moved on to have academic positions.

Prof Jane Coad is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

Drew Gordon - Doctor of Philosophy
Effects of collagen hydrolysate on inflammation and enhancing joint comfort

Completed Doctoral Supervision