My student and career experience in Public Health | BSc Nutrition and Health alumna Sheena Bhageerutty

Completing a degree at the University of Roehampton in BSc Nutrition and Health gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with enthusiastic and supportive lecturers, which surpassed traditional classroom learning.

I was exposed to various modules, including Food Science and Psychology of Health and Illness. We were given the opportunity to conduct lab experiments and sample nutritional drinks to provide insight into the availability of supplements within a clinical setting. Additionally, I learnt about Global Nutrition in the Public Health and Health Promotion module, where I gained an understanding of a project originally adapted from Europe called Toybox Malaysia, which focuses on preventing obesity in school-aged children in Malaysia. This module piqued my interest in Global Health, and, as a result, I pursued an MSc in Nutrition for Global Health to further expand my knowledge.

Applying my knowledge and skills from my undergraduate degree, I delved into several areas of nutrition throughout my career, including weight management, social media, and community engagement. I particularly enjoyed working at Action on Salt and Action on Sugar, a charity that addresses the excess health effects of sugar and salt in the UK. Here, I led impactful campaigns and advocated for policy changes. Determined for change in health policies, I advocated for the Public Health England Salt Reduction Targets to be made mandatory to reduce the population’s salt intake. This, in turn, would significantly decrease the public’s likelihood of developing nutrition-related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, I use evidence-based nutrition education to promote various nutrition topics on different social platforms. I am adept at writing articles that translate scientific information to fit a wide range of audiences while still pertaining to key terminology. I have thoroughly enjoyed giving interviews with The Guardian, BBC and UCB regarding the high salt content hidden in our daily foods and providing different ways to incorporate healthier options into our daily lives.

My time at the University of Roehampton instilled within me the confidence to fulfil my full potential. It was an environment where I felt truly valued and empowered to thrive. Returning to the University of Roehampton, where my journey began, has enabled me to contribute to the growth of the current students by guest lecturing and delivering career presentations.

Find out more about Roehampton’s BSc Nutrition and Health programme on our website.
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The University of Roehampton changes lives by helping our students to develop the confidence, knowledge and values they need for a successful and fulfilling life. We produce world-class research that helps us understand the world and change it for the better.

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