Kevin Whelan is the Professor of Dietetics, and Head of Department of Nutritional Sciences at King’s College London. Following a BSc in Biochemistry, Kevin completed an MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics (awarded with Distinction) and worked as a clinical dietitian specialising in the management of patients with gastrointestinal disease requiring nutritional support. This was followed by completion of a PhD at King’s College London investigating prebiotics and the gut microbiome.

Professor Whelan has undertaken extensive research on probiotics, prebiotics, fibre and dietary interventions in gastrointestinal health and disease, funded through national agencies such as the Medical Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and National Institute of Health Research and charities such as Crohn’s and Colitis UK, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation and the Helmsley Charitable Trust. He has published over 230 full papers in peer-reviewed journals and is the Series Editor of the Advanced Nutrition and Dietetics book series from the British Dietetic Association.

He has a particular interest in education and completed his MA in Academic Practice Teaching and Learning at King’s (awarded with distinction). He has twice received the College Teaching Excellence Award, as well as a College Teaching Fellowship and PhD Supervisory Excellence Award. He has previously served as academic advisor to the National Genetics Education and Development Centre and was previously a member of the Health Education England Advisory Group.

Professor Whelan is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition that provides independent risk assessment for UK Government Departments. He is a Founding Trustee of the Academy of Nutrition Sciences and on the editorial boards of the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics and Gut Microbiome.

In 2012 he was awarded the Nutrition Society Sir David Cuthbertson Medal in recognition of research that has advanced clinical nutrition and impacted on patient care. In 2017 he was appointed a Fellow of the British Dietetic Association and in 2018 delivered the Dr Elsie Widdowson Memorial Lecture.