Alison Fildes is a Research Associate based in the Energy Balance group within UCL’s Health Behaviour Research Centre (HBRC). Alison obtained a first class honours degree in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh before joining the HBRC as a Research Assistant working on the newly established Gemini cohort study. Gemini is the largest population-based twin birth cohort ever set up to study genetic and environmental contributions to early life growth. Alison undertook her PhD under the supervision of Professor Jane Wardle at UCL, examining the development and modification of children’s food preferences. Alongside her PhD she managed an EU funded trial investigating the impact of evidence-based guidance for parents introducing vegetables during weaning.

Alison was subsequently awarded an Australian Government Endeavour Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Institute of Health at Queensland University of Technology working with Professor Lynne Daniels. Following a second post postdoctoral position with Professor Martin Gulliford in the Department of Primary Care and Public Health at Kings College London, Alison returned to UCL in 2015.