Cathryn Anne Conlon is a New Zealand academic, and is a full professor at Massey University, specialising in maternal and early-life nutrition.

Cath Conlon
Conlon in 2008
Born
Cathryn Anne Conlon
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Sheffield
Thesis
Academic work
InstitutionsMassey University
Doctoral studentsKathryn Beck

Academic career

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Conlon completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of London, followed by a Master of Medical Science and a PhD at the University of Sheffield. She first worked as a paediatric nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital before her interest in nutrition in babies led her to move into academia.[1] Her PhD thesis, completed in 2003, was titled The efficacy of the antioxidants α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in preventing lipid peroxidation of parenteral lipid emulsions administered to premature babies.[2] Conlon then joined the faculty of Massey University, rising to full professor in 2023.[3]

Conlon researches nutrition in pregnant women and in early life. Conlon's research has shown that less than a third of pregnant women in New Zealand were getting the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.[4] She also research how kiwifruit could improve iron intake in iron-deficient women, with student Kathryn Beck.[5] She was an invited expert on the technical group advising the Ministry of Health on the maternal and infant dietary guidelines.[3] Conlon also researches infant and toddler nutrition, researching topics such as baby-led weaning and how to increase the acceptance of vegetables.[1][6] In 2017, Conlon featured in the TVNZ1 documentary The secret lives of fussy eaters, alongside colleagues Emily Jones, a speech and language therapist, and Reena Soniassy-Unkovich.[7]

Conlon is an associate investigator at the Riddet Institute, a Centre of Research Excellence based at Massey.[8]

As of 2024, Conlon is vice-president of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand.[9]

Selected works

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References

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  1. ^ a b "How to Get Your Toddler to Eat Their Vegetables". Mum+ for Trusted Pregnancy & Parenting. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  2. ^ Conlon, Cathryn (2003). The efficacy of the antioxidants [alpha]-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in preventing lipid peroxidation of parenteral lipid emulsions administered to premature babies (PhD). University of Sheffield, Centre for Human Nutrition.
  3. ^ a b "2022 Professorial promotions announced". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Pregnant women are not getting enough Omega-3". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  5. ^ Massey University (12 September 2008). "Award for iron-boosting kiwifruit and cereal study | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ^ Massey University, New Zealand. "Prof Cathryn Conlon – Professor – Massey University". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  7. ^ "The secret lives of fussy eaters". www.massey.ac.nz. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Professor Cath Conlon". riddet.ac.nz. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  9. ^ "About the Nutrition Society of New Zealand". Nutrition Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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