IMS Epidemiology

Seminar - Prioritising Adolescent Health in the Digital Age: Minimising Harm and Maximising Benefits of Technology
2023-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | MRC Epidemiology meeting rooms 1&2, Level 3 IMS, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, United Kingdom
All are invited to the MRC Epidemiology Seminar:
Prioritising Adolescent Health in the Digital Age: Minimising Harm and Maximising Benefits of Technology
Dr Stephanie Partridge, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
This hybrid seminar will be held in the MRC Epidemiology Unit meeting rooms 1 and 2, Level 3, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, and online.
Register to attend in-person at : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prioritising-adolescent-health-in-the-digital-age-stephanie-partridge-tickets-598407331437
Register to join this seminar online at: https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIoc-yqqDMoE9Xy_E4gqmIv_gCZLcsp0gDL
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About this talk
Today there are more young people alive than at any other point in history – 1.8 billion. We must prioritize their right to good health and optimal nutrition, but current research approaches have fallen short of meeting their needs. In Australia, 9 out of 10 young people fail to consume a healthy, well-balanced diet or engage in sufficient physical activity. This places them at a heightened risk of developing serious health issues like obesity and mental health problems.
Digital technology influences adolescent health decisions and potentially damages and enhances their lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes. This presentation will discuss the double-edged sword of technology and strategies to prevent chronic diseases among adolescents.
About Dr Partridge
Dr Stephanie Partridge is a Senior Research Fellow and National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow at the University of Sydney. Her research is focused on harnessing digital technology to improve the lifestyle behaviours of adolescents to keep them healthy and productive throughout their life. Her research is centred on digital health and strongly focuses on research translation. She applies an adolescent rights approach to her research by incorporating direct adolescent participation and research co-production.
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Seminar - Agent based Modelling for Urban Health Impact Assessment
2023-05-12 09:00 - 10:00 UTC | MRC Epidemiology meeting rooms 1&2, Level 3 IMS, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, United Kingdom
All are invited to the MRC Epidemiology Seminar:
Agent based Modelling for Urban Health Impact Assessment
Tabea Sonnenschein, University of Utrecht
This hybrid seminar will be held in the MRC Epidemiology Unit meeting rooms 1 and 2, Level 3, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, and online.
Register to attend in-person at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tabea-sonnenschein-agent-based-modelling-for-urban-health-impact-assessmen-tickets-604874916157
Register to join this seminar online at: https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwuce2hqTMoHdI1mSwPdmepMS_e1NukY_Ml#/registration
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About this talk
Implementing interventions that tackle the Exposome in complex urban systems can be costly and have long-term, sometimes unforeseen, impacts. Hence, it is crucial to assess the health and social impacts of possible urban exposome interventions before implementing them. Spatial agent-based modelling can capture complex behaviour-environment interactions, exposure dynamics, and social outcomes in a spatial context. We present our work on agent-based modeling of transport interventions in Amsterdam.
Our agent-based modeling approach entails the integration of behavioural models of people’s mobility choices and dynamic physical models of environmental stressors (NO2, Noise). The interaction of these sub-models approximates personal behavioural and environmental exposure. Consequently, the accumulated health impacts for various interventions and population groups are assessed using exposure-response functions. We present our model architecture and methodology, the strength and limitations of ABM for health impact assessment, and our findings on the effects of transport interventions in Amsterdam.
About Tabea Sonnenschein
Tabea Sonnenschein is a PhD Candidate focused on developing spatial agent-based models that simulate the health and social impacts of urban interventions as part of the EU-funded EXPANSE and EXPOSOME-NL projects. She is affiliated to the Institute of Risk Assessment Sciences and the Geoscience Faculty at Utrecht University, as well as the Planetary Health Group of the University Medical Center Utrecht. She is moreover a junior researcher at the Center for Complex System Sciences and an expert for the Urban AI think tank. From 2019-2020, Tabea was a visiting student at the MIT Sustainable Urbanization Lab. In 2020 she earned her Msc Research in Urban and Economic Geography from Utrecht University (summa cum laude).
Explore past seminars
All MRC Epidemiology Unit seminars and events where slides, audio or video are available can be found at www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/past-seminars/
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Seminar - Independent and Joint Effects of Multiple Pollutants and their Interactions with Meteorological Variables on Stroke Hospitalization
2023-09-27 12:30 - 13:30 UTC | MRC Epidemiology meeting rooms 1&2, Level 3 IMS, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, United Kingdom
All are invited to the MRC Epidemiology Seminar:
Independent and Joint Effects of Multiple Pollutants and their Interactions with Meteorological Variables on Stroke Hospitalization
Lei Li, Huazhong University of Science, China, and visiting PhD student at the MRC Epidemiology Unit
This hybrid seminar will be held in MRC Epidemiology Unit seminar rooms 1 & 2, Level 3, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, and online.
Register to attend in-person at: www.eventbrite.com/e/mrc-seminar-series-ms-lei-li-visiting-phd-student-at-the-mrc-tickets-719114399527
Register to join this seminar online at: https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIof-yurjItHdzjDzXS_UOZW5kYz86KuxnV#/registration
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About this talk
While studies have emphasized the significant influence of air pollution on stroke development and progression, limited research has explored the joint effects of pollutant mixtures and their interactive effects with meteorological variables. Our study reveals diverse associations between air pollutants and hospital admissions for various stroke subtypes across different seasons. We have systematically examined interactive effects between pollutants and meteorological variables, assessing them from both multiplicative and additive perspectives.
By examining combinations of multiple pollutants, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall impact of air pollution on stroke, which can inform policy-making decisions aimed at reducing air pollution levels and preventing stroke.
About Lei Li
Lei Li is a visiting PhD student from Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science. She is now based at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, working closely with Dr Haneen Khreis in the Public Health Modelling team led by Professor James Woodcock.
Explore past seminars
All MRC Epidemiology Unit seminars and events where slides, audio or video are available can be found at www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/past-seminars/
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To sign up for future seminars and/or other alerts please visit www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/subscribe/

Seminar – The role of wearables and reproducible science in personalised medicine
2024-04-17 13:15 - 14:15 UTC | Meeting rooms, Level 4 Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC), Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, United Kingdom
All are invited to the MRC Epidemiology Seminar:
The role of wearables and reproducible science in personalised medicine
Dr Dan Jackson, Newcastle University
This hybrid seminar will be held in the IMS meeeting rooms 1 & 2, Level 4, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, and online.
Register to attend online.
About this talk
Dan co-founded the Open Movement platform (openmovement.dev), whose AX3 and AX6 devices have been widely used in movement research and population studies, including the UK Biobank. This has underpinned his recent work focused on movement sensing with wearable computing, including projects supporting people with conditions such as Parkinson’s and stroke. His other work involved systems to support exergaming and safe walking for people with degenerative conditions, sensor-instrumented environments that assist their users, video coaching, reflection within counselling, population weight-loss, and nutrition.
About Dr Jackson
Dan Jackson is a Senior Research Associate within the School of Computing at Newcastle University. After graduating Dan worked at Lexicle Ltd. to produce a state-of-the-art web-based 3D embodied conversational agent.
Now based in Open Lab at Newcastle, a cross-disciplinary research environment, he works on the development of research systems and prototypes, engineering solutions for projects that use a diverse range of technologies.
His primary research interests include human-computer interaction with a focus on the areas of ubiquitous/pervasive computing and technologies that support health and wellbeing.
Explore past seminars
All MRC Epidemiology Unit seminars and events where slides, audio or video are available can be found at www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/past-seminars/
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Seminar – Population nutrition: upstream/downstream - Prof. Pablo Monsivais
2024-05-15 13:15 - 14:15 UTC | Meeting rooms, Level 4 Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC), Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, United Kingdom
All are invited to the MRC Epidemiology Seminar:
Population nutrition: upstream/downstream
Professor Pablo Monsivais, Washington State University
This hybrid seminar will be held in Institute of Metabolic Science seminar rooms 1 & 2, Level 4, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, and online.
If attending online, please register at https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqf-moqD4iEtOSgtPiXJanoInqfmdkhdG2#/registration
About this talk
In this presentation, Professor Monsivais will review two interdisciplinary projects aimed at identifying population-level determinants of diet and one project developing heart-healthy ready meals for use in research studies and interventions.
About Professor Monsivais
After doctoral and post-doctoral training in neuroscience and physiology at the University of Washington and University College London, Professor Monsivais returned to the University of Washington to retrain in nutrition and public health in 2004.
Between 2007 and 2011, he conducted behavioral and epidemiologic research on food choices, diet and health at the UW’s Centre for Public Health Nutrition in the School of Public Health, first as a postdoctoral fellow in behavioral sciences and then as an acting assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology. From 2011 to 2017 he was Senior University Lecturer at the University of Cambridge Centre for Diet and Activity Research where he led a research group focused social and behavioral epidemiology.
He is currently an Associate Professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine based at Washington State University.
Explore past seminars
All MRC Epidemiology Unit seminars and events where slides, audio or video are available can be found at www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/past-seminars/
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Seminar - 20-minute neighbourhoods as an urban design concept to improve health and reduce health inequalities - Dr Jon Olsen
2024-11-20 13:15 - 14:15 UTC | Meeting rooms, Level 4 Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC), Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SL, United Kingdom
All are invited to the MRC Epidemiology Seminar:
20-minute neighbourhoods as an urban design concept to improve health and reduce health inequalities: reflections from Scottish and international context
Dr Jon Olsen, Senior Research Fellow, MRC/CSO Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow
This hybrid seminar will be held in Institute of Metabolic Science seminar rooms 1 & 2, Level 4, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, and online.
If attending online, please register at https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsd-qurDIvG9IQKfrxyJL8fwsv1qHGzCD5
About this talk
The seminar will explore the potential of 20-minute neighbourhoods in promoting health equity through urban planning. This concept emphasises the creation of local living, and amenity diverse and walkable communities where essential services are accessible within a 10-minute walk from home (and 10-minute return, equating to 20 minutes). By prioritising active travel and reducing dependence on motorised transport, 20-minute neighbourhoods and local living strategies have a range of co-benefits that encourage healthier lifestyles and more sustainable behaviours.
The seminar will draw on Scottish and international examples, including a baseline assessment of the policy in Scotland, a UK analysis of urban design, density and travel behaviours, and an international policy evaluation, illustrating how the concept is being implemented and its potential to improve health and reduce health inequalities.
About Dr Olsen
Dr Jon Olsen is a health geographer who leads the Mobility in the Urban Environment workstream within the Places and Health Programme at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit. His research focuses on the application of novel geospatial approaches to exploring the impact of planning policy for health and urban mobility.
Explore past seminars
All MRC Epidemiology Unit seminars and events where slides, audio or video are available can be found at www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/past-seminars/
Sign up for future seminars
To sign up for future seminars and/or other alerts please visit www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/subscribe/

Webinar: Customising Intake24 for your dietary intake research
2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online, United Kingdom
All are invited to the webinar:
Customising Intake24 for your dietary intake research
Wednesday 8 October, 1 PM – 2 PM (UK)
Watch a recording of the webinar (YouTube)
About this webinar
Intake24 is an online, automated dietary recall tool, currently used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Intake24 has been through a programme of updates to enable easier customisation for research projects and surveys.
In this webinar Polly Page and Toni Steer, along with other members of the Cambridge Intake24 team, will showcase features of the updated version of Intake24 and, using some recent real life projects as case studies, demonstrate what kinds of customisation are possible.
This seminar is aimed at those who are interested in adapting and using Intake24 in their research or survey programmes.
Registration (free) is required: https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/S8ZEmHkdRZC8uBXjce9-jw
Intake24 was originally developed by Newcastle University, initially with funding from Food Standards Scotland and is licenced under the Open Government Licence. Intake24 is developed and maintained by Cambridge and Monash Universities.
