Ann Ashworth
I graduated from the University of London too many years ago with a BSc (Hons) Nutrition. After a brief gap which involved sailing to the Canary Islands, I worked at Kings College Hospital Dental School in the Microbiology Department. I then returned to the University of London to do a post-graduate Diploma in Dietetics. This was swiftly followed by a clinical post in the NHS, where I continued to work for the next 20 years. I was Chief Dietitian at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, before leaving to live in Australia for a year, where my son, Harry was born. On return, I worked part time at Torbay Hospital as a Senior Dietitian, before leaving in 2006 to go freelance. I am currently working as a 'bank' Dietitian for the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. I am a member of the British Dietetic Association Professional Practice Board.
During my NHS career, I developed an interest in Sports Nutrition and completed a post grad qualification in Sports Dietetics. I am on the Register of Sports and Exercise Nutritionists and have served as a committee member for Sports Dietitians UK, the specialist group for UK Sports Dietitians.
Research has always attracted me and I managed to fit in a few projects on top of very busy hospital clinical posts. I obtained a Masters degree in Health Studies in 1996, from Coventry University. I am currently a part-time MPhil/PhD researcher with Professor Andy Jones and his team. We are exploring the relationship between dietary nitrate and various aspects of health, such as cardiovascular function and exercise tolerance.