Jill McKay

Dr. Jill McKay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Sciences at Northumbria University, specializing in molecular epidemiology with a focus on the developmental origins of health and disease. Her work examines how early life exposures, particularly maternal folate intake and environmental factors, influence later-life health outcomes, especially childhood leukemia and neurocognitive development. She holds a PhD in Molecular Nutrition from Newcastle University and has over 20 years of research experience.

Her research integrates molecular techniques like DNA methylation analysis and transcriptomics to study mechanisms linking early-life exposures to diseases. Key projects include a World Cancer Research Fund-supported study on maternal folate’s role in childhood leukemia initiation and an investigation into daycare-associated microbial diversity’s impact on non-communicable diseases. Dr. McKay’s work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals addressing health and well-being.

• Education: PhD in Molecular Nutrition, Newcastle University
• Research Themes: Molecular epidemiology, DNA methylation, childhood cancer, epigenetics
• Grants: Active project funded by World Cancer Research Fund (2023–2027)

Her recent publications explore folate metabolism’s role in chemotherapy toxicity, environmental triggers for leukemia subtypes, and epigenetic changes in pediatric cancers. Collaborations span international institutions, focusing on translational epigenetic research.