Dr Jen Carroll

2023 - present Honorary research fellow and PhD supervisor for project entitled 'Development and pilot testing of a parent reported quality of life measure for childhood epilepsy treated with ketogenic diet therapy'. This body of research follows on from the CORE-KDT study which Jen led for her PhD. 

2020-2022 Programme lead for MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Paediatric Dietetics and MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Dietetics. Lecturer on BSc (hons) Dietetics where my clinical experience informs my approach to teaching, preparing students to bridge the gap between their academic background and a career in clinical practice. 
2016-2020 Placement Lead; coordinating our undergraduate clinical placement capacity and delivery including clinical supervisory skills training for practice educators across the South West.

Jen completed her honours degree in Nutritional Sciences at University College Cork, Ireland in 2006, then undertook a MSc in Dietetics at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh graduating in 2008. She went on to work as a dietitian in the NHS specialising in paediatric dietetics, developing expertise in a wide range of areas including neonatal medicine, gastroenterology, metabolic disorders and neurology, faltering growth, obesity, allergies, and respiratory. While working as a senior specialist paediatric dietitian at The University Hospitals of Leicester; Jen redesigned and led the dietetic ketogenic diet service providing a bespoke service for children with intractable epilepsy and metabolic disorders. In 2023, she graduated with her PhD entitled 'Core Outcomes for Refractory childhood Epilepsy treated with Ketogenic Diet Therapy'.The CORE-KDT study. 

2023 PhD, University of Plymouth

2016 PgCert in Higher Education (FHEA), University of Nottingham 
2013 PgCert Behaviour Change, University of Nottingham
2008 MSc Dietetics RD, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
2006 BSc (Hons) Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork Ireland

Registered with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) 
Member of the BDA Paediatric Specialist group 
Member of The Ketogenic Professional Advisory Group (KetoPAG) 
Member of the Ketogenic Dietitians Research Network (KDRN)

2015 present BDA NICE group and Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN) Advisory Committee2020 present Co Publicist for the Ketogenic Dietitians Research Network 

I taught a range of clinical and professional dietetic skills across the dietetics programme with particular interest in paediatric dietetics, neurology (use of ketogenic diet therapy), communication skills and behaviour change. I supervise MSc student projects; supporting students to achieve their research goals. Module lead
DIET503 'Dietetics in Practice 1'
ADV741: Nutrition and Dietetics in Infancy and Childhood 
ADV742: Nutrition and Dietetics in Common Paediatric Disorders 
ADV743: Clinical Dietetics for Infants and Children 
ADV720: Dietetic Management of Inherited Metabolic Disorders 
ADV744: Neonatal Nutrition 
ADV749: Dietetic Supported Study (pathway lead) 

My research area of interest is the use of ketogenic diet therapy for neurological conditions but predominantly childhood epilepsy. I led a study to develop a set of Core Outcomes for Refractory childhood Epilepsy treated with Ketogenic Diet Therapy (CORE-KDT). The study identified core outcomes to be measured in clinical effectiveness trials but will also guide health care professionals when undertaking audit or service evaluation in clinical practice. Parents, health care professionals and relevant charities were consulted to ensure the core outcome set reflects the interests of all and facilitates future decision making.
 
Find out more here: http://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1116
CORE-KDT Study webpage: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/core-kdt

Pedagogic research interestDietetic and Speach therapy students readiness and attitudes towards inter professional learning. 

2024 Nutricia Danone £21,000

2024 Matthew's Friends £16,750

2021 Nutricia Danone £19,875

2021 Vitaflo £10,000 (award declined owing to success with other grant application)

2019 British Dietetic Association General and Education Trust Fund £8574