Janis Baird
President
I am a Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology within Medicine at the University of Southampton and the past chair of the Senior Career Researcher (SCR) Committee.
My research focuses on the translation of evidence of the developmental origins of health and disease into public health policy and practice. Currently, I lead an MRC programme focused on improving cardiometabolic health across the life course. My research incorporates epidemiological studies examining the factors that predict cardiometabolic health and the mechanisms that link them with the later disease and complex intervention studies which aim to improve health and nutrition before conception and during pregnancy, with a particular focus on reducing inequalities.
I contribute to the development of evidence-based practice, both locally through effective knowledge translation and nationally through committee work, including a leadership role at NICE. Locally, I work closely with colleagues at the city council to influence plans for obesity prevention. Nationally, I have been a core member of the NICE Public Health Advisory Committee since 2016 and, in 2018, was appointed as vice-chair of the committee. As well as having extensive experience with systematic reviews, I also have an interest in the evaluation of complex interventions.