Sophie Lester

I’m a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) with the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN), specialising in women’s health and fertility, nutrition for chronic conditions and ageing, bariatric surgery support, and the fascinating links between brain health and what we eat. I teach on the Food and Nutrition FdSc/BSc courses here at UCB.

After earning my first degree in nutrition, my path took me to Danone Nutricia Research in the Netherlands. There, I focused on tailoring protein supplements for older adults, planning and running research trials, collaborating in multidisciplinary teams, and producing academic outputs. My PhD saw me deepen my research skills and also gain experience in the world of health communication. Following my PhD I worked as a Digital Content Executive which saw me create engaging, evidence-based content. I’ve also spent more than two years as a Nutrition Advisor, supporting thousands of bariatric surgery patients on their journeys with weight loss and wellness. 

Alongside research and clinical roles, I have worked extensively with charities and non-profits, for example, providing nutrition support for individuals living with HIV and contributing to international aid efforts in disaster-struck areas of he Philippines. Every challenge has made it clearer for me that nutrition is never one-size-fits-all. Humans are wonderfully complex, with health needs that shift dramatically between life stages, experiences, and medical conditions.

My research has been showcased through poster presentations at conferences, such as the ‘Women’s Health and Physiology Symposium 2025’, and my papers have been published in journals and scientific reports, reflecting my contribution to academic discussion and knowledge exchange. Of course, I bring all of these insights back to my students at UCB. 

Within the classroom, I also create opportunities for students to get involved in meaningful industry collaborations. One partnership I’m especially proud of fostering is with Birmingham’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme, where students deliver nutrition education and healthy meals to children eligible for free school meals. 

A myth about our industry that I like to debunk is that the central purpose of a nutritionist is to help people reduce calorie intake, when in fact, there are many stages and needs in a person’s life that require varying nutritional support. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch students discover just how varied and impactful a career in nutrition can be.

My students tell me that they value the knowledge and insight I bring to lectures, and I’m proud to have been named Nutrition Graduates' Lecturer of the Year 2025 and nominated for the Spotlight Staff Award in the ‘Going the Extra Mile’ category. I really value watching my students grow in self-belief, proving to themselves that they “can do it.” I know that this transformation is possible through personal experience, as I failed my A-Levels the first time and was advised not to pursue nutrition because it was “too chemistry-heavy.” I changed my approach, embraced the challenge, and proved to myself that hard work pays off.

Beyond work, I’m always up for a physical challenge, whether that’s wild swimming, yoga, running the Brighton Marathon for Endometriosis UK, or hiking the Camino Francés across Spain solo - 478 miles in 28 days! I love having new experiences and continuing to learn, whether it’s mastering the piano or (eventually) becoming fluent in Spanish.