Xanthi Maragkoudaki
Richmond,United Kingdom
Summary
Public health academic and researcher with extensive experience in curriculum design, programme leadership, and inclusive online and blended learning. Proven track record in translating research into policy and practice through roles in higher education and Public Health England. Experienced in leading multidisciplinary collaborations, developing accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and designing authentic assessments that enhance employability and student outcomes. Research expertise spans maternal and child health, obesity prevention, health inequalities, and weight stigma in healthcare.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
King’s College London
01.2014
- Regular reviews of scientific evidence in order to update protocols and interpret research data.
- Applied and received funding from different stakeholders including Tate and Lyle and Tommy’s charity.
- Worked in collaboration with the Health Initiative team of Tate and Lyle to test and use different supplements as potential therapeutic agents.
- Wrote regular reports for both funders and organized meetings to discuss research progress.
- Research communication with other scientists, industry and charity sector.
- I became an experienced communicator as I presented at international scientific conferences and business meetings.
- Project management including time management and working to tight deadlines.
- Published research in peer reviewed journals.
- Managing others, including students and more junior colleagues.
Lecturer in Nutrition and Public Health
University of Westminster
02.2021 - 01.2026
- Course Leader for BSc Public Health.
- Developed the new course in Public Health.
- Contributed to the development of two iMScs (Public Health Nutrition and Sports Nutrition), the development of the MSc Global Public and Data and the revalidation of the BSc Human Nutrition and MSc Global Public Health Nutrition – AfN accredited.
- Module leader for L7 Concepts and Principles of Human Nutrition, L7 Non-communicable diseases, L4 Introduction to Public Health, L4 Environment Health and Sustainability.
- Supervisor for MSc Global Public Health Nutrition, Global Public Health and Data, Human Nutrition and BSc Biomedical Sciences students.
- PhD supervisor- Projects: Assessing the effect of free school meals in London and Investigating the impact of weight loss injections on families.
- Project Co-Lead: Nourish to Flourish – Intervention aiming to improve nutritional habits and well-being in secondary school students by co-creating sessions with our students.
- Contributed to departmental meetings and committees for strategic decision-making.
- Supervised postgraduate students' research for high-quality dissertations.
- Enhanced learning outcomes with engaging lesson plans.
- Collaborated with other lecturers to share best practices in teaching methodologies.
- Reviewed and revised curriculum regularly, maintained course relevance in an evolving society.
- Organised and developed engaging educational activities for prospective students of multiple degrees.
Nutrition Consultant
Early Years Alliance
09.2018 - 01.2026
- Nutrition consultant for early years settings.
- Developing nutrition criteria for early years settings to support healthy eating environments.
- Evaluating nutrition practices in early years settings against specific criteria.
- Delivering workshops on children nutrition for early years providers and parents.
- Meal analysis and planning for early years settings.
Founder
Threpsis
03.2017 - 01.2026
- Nutrition consultation to improve individuals’ health.
- Designed and set up my own website.
- Shared evidence based blog posts via my website and social media.
- Offering nutritional education and advice on family nutrition.
- Voluntary work to nurseries and communities.
- Evidence based nutrition advice on maternal and early years nutrition.
Scientific consultant
Non-profit organization specialized on infant feeding
09.2015 - 01.2026
- Review of current scientific evidence in order to write articles in relation to optimal maternal and infant nutrition.
- Translation of complex scientific evidence in order to provide mothers with robust evidence on maternal and infant feeding. The articles I have translated have led to increased traffic to the website and increased sharing of the articles.
- Personal advice and support offered to families when needed.
- Gained great experience on working for voluntary sector and science communication.
- Http://www.mitrikosthilasmos.com
Visiting Lecturer
University of Hertfordshire, Nutrition & Dietetics department
03.2018 - 02.2021
- Delivering lectures on diabetes, obesity and early nutrition.
- Communication with students and mentorship.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
King’s College London
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Multitasked and learned how to effectively prioritize as I was involved in three different projects.
- Further developed my problem solving skills as I Introduced and optimized new techniques and research protocols, which were later used by colleagues.
- Further developed my knowledge on metabolism, broad molecular biology and physiology.
- Peer reviewed scientific papers.
- Statistically and critically analyzed scientific results.
- Experience in handling budgets and applying for additional funds.
- Collaborated and with other research groups.
- Co-author of peer reviewed papers.
- Developed management skills as I mentored and coached students.
- Lectured students on women’s health and physiology.
Scientific Consultant
Department of Health, Health Improvement Directorate, Nutrition Science and Policy Advice team
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Wrote literature reviews in order to update the NHS website on nutrition research.
- Wrote responses to media and public enquiries.
- Translated evidence into policy as I reviewed the marketing material of nutrition policies such as change4life based on scientific evidence.
- Stakeholder management.
- Supported Scientific Advisory Committee of Nutrition, as part of the Secretariat, by providing comprehensive background information and briefing relevant scientific papers to the committee.
- Gained valuable experience of working in public health which provided me with the prerequisite skills to design a public health intervention.
- Learned how a public health intervention is designed and implemented.
Research assistant
Pediatrics Athens University Medical School
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Expanded my knowledge on diabetes and genetics.
- Recruited patients to the trial and discussed with them the purpose of the trial and if necessary blood tests results.
- Processed blood samples and analyzed and interpreted large amount of data.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Women and Children’s health
King’s College London
01.2010 - 01.2014
MSc - Public Health Nutrition
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
01.2007 - 01.2008
BSc - Biology
University of Crete
01.2001 - 01.2006
Skills
- Curriculum design
- Pedagogical knowledge
- Written and oral communication skills via different media and for different audiences
- Data Analysis, interpretation and translation
- Problem-solving
- Qualitative and quantitative research
- Gamification in learning
- Budgeting and financial management
- Website design
- Policy design and evaluation
- Collaborative leadership
- Multitasking and prioritising tasks
- Multi-Disciplinary team working
Languages
Greek (Native)
Beginner
English (Fluent)
Beginner
French (Advanced)
Beginner
Affiliations
- Since September 2022: Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- Since May 2012: British maternal and fetal medicine society member
- Since May 2013: Developmental Origins of Health & Disease society member
PUBLICATIONS
- Xanthi Maragkoudaki, Matthew Naylor, Georgia Papacleovoulou, Emily Starlosky, Joaquim M. Pombo, Shadi Abu-Hayyeh, Lucilla Poston, Paul D. Taylor Maternal Influence on offspring energy expenditure: intervention with a soluble fibre (polydextrose) in a murine model of obese pregnancy. Nature Publications. October 2020.
- Mouralidarane A, Soeda J, Visconti-Pugmire C, Samuelsson AM, Pombo J, Maragkoudaki X, Butt A, Saraswati R, Novelli M, Fusai G, Poston L, Taylor PD, Oben JA.: Maternal obesity programs offspring nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by innate immune dysfunction in mice. Hepatology 2013 Jul;58(1):128-38. doi: 10.1002/hep.26248.
- Carter, Rebeca; Mouralidarane, Angelina; Soeda, Junpei; Ray, Shruva; Pombo, Joaquim; Maragkoudaki, Xanthi; Saraswati, Ruma; Vinciguerra, Manlio; Novelli, Marco; Fusai, Guiseppe; Poston, Lucilla; Taylor, Paul; Oben, Jude: Maternal Obesity in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease: a role for altered circadian rhythms. Journal of Internal Medicine
Continuous Professional Development Courses
- Sep 2021-Sep 2022: PGCert in Higher Education (Distinction), FHEA, Centre of Education and Innovation, University of Westminster
- November 2018: Intuitive Eating into Practice, London Centre of Intuitive Eating.
- October 2009: Molecular Epidemiology: Biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility & disease”, Imperial College London, ECNIS
- June 2009: “Breastfeeding: Practice and Policy” WHO, UNICEF, collaborative course
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Maternal and children’s health
- Obesity prevention
- Health Inequalities
- Weight stigma in healthcare
- Children’s Development
- Early Origins of Health and Disease
- Women’s health and fertility
Accomplishments
Vice Chancellor Award
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Lecturer in Nutrition and Public Health
University of Westminster
02.2021 - 01.2026
Nutrition Consultant
Early Years Alliance
09.2018 - 01.2026
Visiting Lecturer
University of Hertfordshire, Nutrition & Dietetics department
03.2018 - 02.2021
Founder
Threpsis
03.2017 - 01.2026
Scientific consultant
Non-profit organization specialized on infant feeding
09.2015 - 01.2026
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
King’s College London
01.2014
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
King’s College London
01.2010 - 01.2014
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Women and Children’s health
King’s College London
01.2010 - 01.2014
Scientific Consultant
Department of Health, Health Improvement Directorate, Nutrition Science and Policy Advice team
01.2009 - 01.2010
MSc - Public Health Nutrition
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
01.2007 - 01.2008
Research assistant
Pediatrics Athens University Medical School
01.2006 - 01.2007
BSc - Biology
University of Crete
01.2001 - 01.2006