MEET THE TEAM
CHRIS GRIFFITHS OBE, MD, FRCP, FMEDSCI
Chris Griffiths is Emeritus Professor of Dermatology at the University of Manchester and Adjunct Professor at King’s College London. He qualified in medicine from St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, London, UK, and trained in dermatology at St Mary’s Hospital, London, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Professor Griffiths was appointed to the Foundation Chair in Dermatology at the University of Manchester in 1994. That same year, he founded the Manchester Dermatopharmacology Unit and the Manchester Psoriasis Service. In 2015, he received the Sir Archibald Gray Medal for outstanding service to British Dermatology, and in 2019 the British Society for Investigative Dermatology Medal for contributions to research. In 2018, Professor Griffiths was awarded Pro Meritis of the European Dermatology Forum and was appointed OBE “for services to dermatology” in the Queen’s New Year Honours.
Professor Griffiths is a former President of the European Society for Dermatological Research, the European Dermatology Forum, the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), and the International Psoriasis Council, which he co-founded in 2004. He directs the MRC stratified medicine consortium on psoriasis (Psoriasis Stratification to Optimise Relevant Therapy; PSORT) and the Global Psoriasis Atlas, and is Chief Investigator of the BAD Biologics and Immunomodulators Register (BADBIR). Chris has 752 PubMed-cited articles (h-index 137) and is Editor-in-Chief of Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology and Rook’s Dermatology Handbook..
Chris has a career-long interest in all aspects of psoriasis and is credited with helping to develop the concept that psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease. He runs international courses on art appreciation for clinicians and is active in global health initiatives, including co-founding the Burma Skincare Initiative charity and acting as advisor on global health research and policy to the International League of Dermatological Societies
DR THIVI MARUTHAPPU MA (OXON) MRCP (DERM) PHD
Dr Thivi Maruthappu is an experienced Consultant Dermatologist. She studied Medicine at Oxford University and Imperial College, London, and completed her Dermatology training at London Teaching hospitals. Uniquely, she is trained in Nutrition Science and is recognised as a leader in the field of nutrition and skin health, lecturing nationally and internationally on the topic. Dr Maruthappu completed a competitive Medical Research Council-funded PhD and a Fellowship in Medical Dermatology (severe eczema & psoriasis) at the renowned St John’s Institute of Dermatology, in addition to a Certificate in Nutrition Science from Stanford Medical School, USA.
Her research focuses on nutrition and psoriasis and is based at the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Kings College, London. Her extensive training has led her to adopt an empathetic and holistic approach, considering aspects of nutrition and lifestyle that can contribute to skin conditions. She has received over 15 National and international awards and prizes including the Whimster Prize (2014-2017) from the British Association of Dermatologists amongst others. Her academic research has been published widely in world-leading medical journals in global press.
Dr Maruthappu is a senior advisory consultant for L'Oreal and as a spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation she is regularly featured in the media including BBC Radio, the Sunday Times, Vogue and the Daily Mail amongst others.
Dr Wendy Hall PhD, RNutr
Dr Wendy Hall (RNutr) is a nutritional scientist and Reader at King’s College London. She completed her PhD (2001) on protein and appetite at the University of Surrey where she stayed for another 2 years to research vitamin E metabolism. Following 3 years as a postdoctoral researcher at University of Reading, investigating cardiometabolic effects of soy isoflavones and unsaturated fatty acids, Wendy was appointed to an academic post at King’s in 2005. Wendy’s research mainly involves dietary intervention trials and cardiometabolic health, and she is also interested in researching sleep-diet interactions. She is Theme Leader for Nutrition & Optimum Life Course for the UK Nutrition Society and has authored >80 papers.
Dr Rachel Gibson PhD, RD, FHEA
Rachel is a Registered Dietitian and Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at King’s College London. The foundation of nutritional research is the ability to measure dietary intakes in populations and individuals. An overarching theme of Rachel’s research is looking at how we can improve the way we measure diet and nutrition to inform evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of chronic conditions.
Sylvia Zanesco ANutr
Sylvia is a Registered Associate Nutritionist currently undertaking her PhD at King's College London. Following her MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Disordered Eating from UCL, Sylvia joined ZOE as a research nutritionist, rolling out PREDICT 1 (UK), 2 and 3 (US). Sylvia has extensive experience as a Nutrition Coach advising and supporting clients through nutrition plans and diet journeys. Her interests in nutrition are oriented towards the dietary management of non-communicable disease.