Wendy Russell

Professor Wendy Russell is a Personal Chair in the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen. She is based at the Rowett Institute where she leads research on the complex relationship between diet and human health, with a strong focus on gut microbiota, nutritional science, and sustainable food systems. Her work spans from fundamental research on plant bioactives to applied studies addressing food security challenges.

Professor Russell's educational background includes:

• BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Bristol (1992-1994)
• PhD in Natural Product Chemistry (1994-1997)

Her research focuses on understanding how dietary components impact human health, particularly through the gut microbiome. She investigates the metabolic phenotypes defining population groups and the functional role of gut microbiota in disorders such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Her work also addresses food system resilience, including biodiversity maintenance, sustainable protein provision, food waste valorization, and emerging technologies in crop breeding. Russell employs a truly transdisciplinary approach, collaborating with stakeholders across the food supply chain and working with industry partners on product development.

Professor Russell's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on sustainable food systems, with particular attention to underutilized crops like hemp, buckwheat, and fava bean as sources of nutrition and bioactive compounds. Her research demonstrates how these foods and their by-products can support gut health through microbial fermentation, produce beneficial metabolites like butyrate, and provide sustainable alternatives to conventional food sources. Her work bridges fundamental science with practical applications for food security and human health, particularly in addressing the challenges of climate change and resource constraints.

Her notable recognition includes:

• FDF 'Scientist of the Year' 2017

Professor Russell actively supervises numerous PhD students working on diverse aspects of nutrition science, from pasture-associated laminitis to underutilized plant protein sources. She has secured substantial research funding from multiple sources including the Scottish Government, BBSRC Global Challenges Research Fund, National Institutes of Health (US), MRC, Wellcome Trust, and various industry partnerships. Her projects often involve interdisciplinary collaboration with institutions like the James Hutton Institute, Scotland's Rural College, and international partners in Malawi and Zimbabwe.

As leader of the Gut Health Research Team at the Rowett Institute, Professor Russell collaborates with experts including Dr. Charles Bestwick, Dr. Sylvia Duncan, Emeritus Professor Harry Flint, Dr. Silvia Gratz, Dr. Petra Louis, Dr. Madalina Neacsu, Dr. Karen Scott, Dr. Alan Walker, and Emeritus Professor John Wallace. Together, they investigate the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and human health, with particular emphasis on microbial metabolites and their role in disease prevention.