Inaugural Professorial Lecture – Professor Sheila Skeaff

About Sheila's Research:
Iodine is a nutrient that is needed by the body for normal growth and development. Because the level of iodine in New Zealand soil is low, the amount of iodine that we get in food, and the health consequences of not getting enough iodine, has been the focus of Sheila's research.

With colleagues, she has measured the iodine status of children, adults and pregnant women, demonstrating the re-emergence of mild iodine deficiency in the 1990s, likely due to changes in food habits and practices. More recently, she has evaluated the effectiveness of government strategies to increase iodine intakes, such as the mandatory use of iodised salt in commercial breads, and the recommendation for all pregnant and breastfeeding women to take iodine supplements.

Sheila is an enthusiastic educator about nutrition, including iodine, gaining national recognition with an Ako Aotearoa tertiary teaching award.

Refreshments will be served after lecture.