Cambridge Population Health Sciences

Bradford Hill Seminar - From Plate to Brain: Global Diet, Cognitive Function and Neuroimaging in Diverse Populations
2026-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Institute of Metabolic Science, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
PLEASE NOTE THE DATE AND TIME FOR THE SEMINAR HAS CHANGED
All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar:
From Plate to Brain: Global Diet, Cognitive Function and Neuroimaging in Diverse Populations
Professor Sonia Anand
McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
Register to attend
Please note this is free a hybrid event.
No registration is required to attend in person. The seminar is being held at – Institute of Metabolic Science, Seminar rooms 1/2/3, Level 4, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ.
Register in advance to attend the seminar online – https://mrc-epid.zoom.us/meeting/register/8xel5Gx6RvWXR1q8nlieGg
Abstract
Drawing on findings from the Canadian Alliance for Healthier Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) and the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, this seminar will examine how global dietary patterns influence cognitive performance and brain structure across diverse populations. Dr. Anand will highlight evidence linking diet quality and cardiometabolic risk to cognition and neuroimaging markers of brain health in multi‑ethnic and international cohorts. The presentation will discuss implications for prevention strategies that connect nutrition, vascular health, and brain aging from a global perspective.
About Professor Sonia Anand
Dr. Sonia Anand is a distinguished physician-scientist and global health leader whose work has transformed Canada’s approach to cardiovascular health, health equity, and Indigenous and population health research. She serves as Associate Vice-President of Global Health and Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at McMaster University and holds a Heart & Stroke Chair recognizing her national impact. Dr. Anand’s research has revealed how sex, ethnicity, and social determinants influence cardiometabolic risk—shifting practice away from “one-size-fitsall” models toward equity-focused care. Her studies have set new standards for defining obesity, created validated ethnic-specific risk scoring systems, and led to the development and testing of community-based interventions in South Asian and Indigenous populations. Her findings have shaped clinical guidelines, policy frameworks, and global conversations on health equity.
About the Bradford Hill seminars
The Bradford Hill seminar series is the principal series of The Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation. This comprises the Departments of Public Health & Primary Care, MRC Biostatistics Unit and IMS Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, bringing together a multi-disciplinary partnership of academics and public health professionals. The Bradford Hill seminar programme of internationally recognised speakers covers topics of broad interest to our public health research community. It aims to transcend as well as connect the activities of our individual partners.
All are welcome at our Bradford Hill seminars.

The global syphilis epidemic: Why is this happening and what should we do about it?
2026-06-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Large Downstairs Teaching Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SR, United Kingdom
Due to the hot weather warning this event has been postponed until October 2026
All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar:
The global syphilis epidemic: Why is this happening and what should we do about it?
Professor Michael Marks, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Thursday 25 June, 14:00 – 15:00 BST – Large Downstairs Teaching Room, East Forvie Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SR and via MS Teams Webinar
Register in advance to attend remotely: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
About Professor Michael Marks
Michael Marks is Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Professor of Medicine at LSHTM. His work is focused on the control of syphilis in the UK and worldwide.
The seminar will cover current challenges facing the syphilis epidemic globally and the potential for new tools to help improve our understanding of syphilis and our public health response.
About the Bradford Hill Seminars
The Bradford Hill seminar series is the principal series of The Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation. This comprises the Departments of Public Health & Primary Care, MRC Biostatistics Unit and IMS Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, bringing together a multi-disciplinary partnership of academics and public health professionals. The Bradford Hill seminar programme of internationally recognised speakers covers topics of broad interest to our public health research community. It aims to transcend as well as connect the activities of our individual partners.

Bradford Hill Seminar - Unlocking African Genomic Diversity for Global Precision Medicine
2026-07-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar:
Unlocking African Genomic Diversity for Global Precision Medicine
Professor Segun Fatumo
Queen Mary University, London and the MRC/UVRI Uganda Unit
Register to attend
Please note this is a free online event.
Registration is available via – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K-ONJFOjRBqhO_nHHOEDtQ
Abstract
Since the first human genome was sequenced about twenty years ago, advances in genome technologies have resulted in whole-genome sequencing and microarray-based genotyping of millions of human genomes. However, genetic and genomic research is primarily focused on populations of European ancestry. As of June 2021, for example, the vast majority of genomics studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS), had been conducted in people of European descent (86.3%), followed by East Asian (5.9%), and African (1.1%) populations. While the proportion of samples from people of European ancestry has increased from 81% in 2016 to 86% in 2021, the proportion of samples from under-represented groups has either remained stagnant or decreased.
As a result, the many under-represented populations may miss out on the potential benefits of genomic research, such as a better understanding of disease aetiology, early detection and diagnosis, rational drug design, and improved clinical care. To improve representation of Africans in genomic studies, new genomic initiatives are emerging from indigenous African populations. In my presentation, I will discuss the importance of genomic diversity and how we are using Africa’s limited human genome resource to 1) discover novel disease susceptibility genetic loci, 2) refine association signals at new and existing loci, 3) develop and test polygenic scores to determine disease risk, 4) assess causal relationships in diseases, and 5) develop capacity for genomics research in Africa.
About Professor Segun Fatumo
Professor Segun Fatumo is a genomic epidemiologist whose pioneering work has advanced understanding of non-communicable diseases and championed equitable genomics research globally. He leads major Africa-focused genomic initiatives, including KidneyGenAfrica, the Uganda Genome Resource and the Nigerian 100K Genome Project, while holding key roles at Queen Mary University of London and the MRC/UVRI Uganda Unit. With funding from major international agencies, Professor Fatumo has driven research capacity building across Africa, contributed to global genomics policy, and serves on influential advisory boards. He is widely recognised in international media (BBC, The Telegraph, WIRED, Science Magazine, Forbes and others) and has been honoured with multiple awards, he remains a prominent advocate for diversity and inclusion in genomic research.

The Bradford Hill seminar series is the principal series of The Cambridge Population Health Sciences Partnership, in collaboration with the PHG Foundation. This comprises the Departments of Public Health & Primary Care, MRC Biostatistics Unit and IMS Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, bringing together a multi-disciplinary partnership of academics and public health professionals. The Bradford Hill seminar programme of internationally recognised speakers covers topics of broad interest to our public health research community. It aims to transcend as well as connect the activities of our individual partners.
All are welcome at our Bradford Hill seminars.
