Dr. Harry Jarrett | Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Head of Science and Research at Heights, United Kingdom

Dr. Harry Jarrett is a passionate scientist with a focus on nutritional research, particularly in the context of chronic disease prevention. He believes that optimizing nutrition can significantly reduce the risk of prevalent health issues. With a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Ulster University and a strong academic background, Dr. Jarrett has combined clinical and research expertise to contribute to the field of nutrition. His work spans various roles, including his current position as Head of Science and Research at Heights, where he leads human intervention trials and drives product development. Additionally, Dr. Jarrett has substantial experience in the medical field, including his work as a COVID-19 Research Laboratory Coordinator during the pandemic. His career is a testament to his commitment to advancing nutrition science and its real-world applications, striving to make significant contributions to improving public health through research and innovation.

Professional Profile

• ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Jarrett completed his PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health at Ulster University, where he focused on gene-environment interactions in blood pressure and stroke risk. His thesis investigated how riboflavin can lower systolic blood pressure, a significant finding in hypertension research. Prior to his PhD, he earned a Master’s degree in Exercise and Health Sciences from the University of Exeter, with a focus on nutrition’s impact on mental health and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Jarrett also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Exeter, graduating with first-class honors. His academic journey has been marked by strong achievements, including a postgraduate scholarship, distinction profile, and recognition for his contributions to research. Throughout his education, Dr. Jarrett has demonstrated a deep commitment to exploring the intersections between nutrition, health, and disease prevention.

Professional Experience

Dr. Jarrett’s professional experience spans several prestigious institutions and roles. Currently, he serves as Head of Science and Research at Heights, where he is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of research projects, including human intervention trials focused on nutrition and health. He also coordinates the translation of scientific findings into products and marketing strategies. From 2021 to 2024, Dr. Jarrett worked as a COVID-19 Research Laboratory Coordinator at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, where he managed clinical trials during the pandemic and was responsible for writing protocols, securing ethical approvals, and overseeing research quality. He also held a postdoctoral position at the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food and Nutrition Research, where he led investigations into cardiovascular disease risk factors using data from the UK Biobank. Additionally, Dr. Jarrett has contributed to academia by mentoring students and delivering lectures on nutrition and B-vitamin biochemistry.

Research Interests

Dr. Jarrett’s primary research interest lies in the relationship between nutrition and chronic disease prevention, with a particular focus on cardiovascular health and blood pressure regulation. His work has explored how micronutrients, especially B-vitamins like riboflavin, can impact blood pressure and metabolic function, offering new avenues for non-pharmacological interventions. His PhD research focused on understanding gene-environment interactions, specifically how certain genetic variations can influence an individual’s response to nutritional interventions. Dr. Jarrett is also interested in how nutrition can mitigate the effects of age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions and mental health disorders. His ongoing research involves human intervention trials to assess the efficacy of nutritional supplements in improving health outcomes. Additionally, he is involved in investigating large datasets, such as those from the UK Biobank, to uncover insights into the broader epidemiological relationships between diet and health.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Harry Jarrett has received numerous accolades throughout his academic and professional career, reflecting his exceptional research contributions. Notably, he was awarded the Best Poster award at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) conference for his work on folic acid and one-carbon metabolism. He also earned the Broadening Horizons Travel Bursary from Ulster University and a top-ranking young investigator abstract at the British and Irish Hypertension Society conference. Dr. Jarrett’s commitment to research excellence has earned him recognition from his peers and colleagues. His PhD research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has been widely cited and demonstrates his capacity to contribute to significant scientific advancements. Additionally, he has received honors such as the Postgraduate Commendation from the University of Exeter, further acknowledging his academic excellence and dedication to the field of nutrition science.

Conclusion

Publications Top Noted

• The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Probiotics in Sports Performance: A Narrative Review Update

  • Author(s): Harry Jarrett, Sophie Medlin, James C. Morehen
  • Year: 2025
  • Citation: Jarrett H, Medlin S, Morehen JC. The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Probiotics in Sports Performance: A Narrative Review Update. Nutrients. 2025;17(4):690. doi: 10.3390/nu17040690.

• Survival of Probiotic Bacterial Cells in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract and the Effect of the Surviving Population on the Colonic Microbial Community Activity and Composition

  • Author(s): Marlies Govaert, Chloë Rotsaert, Chelsea Vannieuwenhuyse, Cindy Duysburgh, Sophie Medlin, Massimo Marzorati, Harry Jarrett
  • Year: 2024
  • Citation: Govaert M, Rotsaert C, Vannieuwenhuyse C, Duysburgh C, Medlin S, Marzorati M, Jarrett H. Survival of Probiotic Bacterial Cells in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract and the Effect of the Surviving Population on the Colonic Microbial Community Activity and Composition. Nutrients. 2024;16(8):2791. doi: 10.3390/nu16162791.

• Magnesium in Human Health and Disease: A Review of Our Current Understanding

  • Author(s): Harry Jarrett, Ryan McNally, Anna Hernández-Rubio, Sally Brett, Luca Faconti
  • Year: 2024
  • Citation: Jarrett H, McNally R, Hernández-Rubio A, Brett S, Faconti L. Magnesium in Human Health and Disease: A Review of Our Current Understanding. EC Nutrition. 2024;23(7):2303-2315.

• Association of dietary flavan-3-ol intakes with plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones: analysis from the TUDA cohort of healthy older adults

  • Author(s): Donato Angelino, Aoife Caffrey, Helene McNulty, Chris IR. Gill, Pedro Mena, Alice Rosi, Katie Moore, Leane Hoey, Michelle Clements, Eamon Laird, et al.
  • Year: 2023
  • Citation: Angelino D, Caffrey A, McNulty H, Gill CIR, Mena P, Rosi A, Moore K, Hoey L, Clements M, Laird E, et al. Association of dietary flavan-3-ol intakes with plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones: analysis from the TUDA cohort of healthy older adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2023;118(2):426-438. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.06.006.

• Vitamin B-6 and riboflavin, their metabolic interaction, and relationship with MTHFR genotype in adults aged 18-102 years

  • Author(s): Harry Jarrett, Helene McNulty, Catherine Hughes, Kristina Pentieva, James J. Strain, Anne Molloy, Aileen McCann, et al.
  • Year: 2022
  • Citation: Jarrett H, McNulty H, Hughes CF, Pentieva K, Strain JJ, Molloy A, McCann A, et al. Vitamin B-6 and riboflavin, their metabolic interaction, and relationship with MTHFR genotype in adults aged 18-102 years. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022;116(6):1422-1431. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac240.

• Validity of plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones as novel biomarkers of dietary (poly)phenols: Preliminary analysis from the VALID project

  • Author(s): B. Parmenter, K. Moore, D. Angelino, D. Del Rio, H. McNulty, A.M. Molloy, C. Cunningham, M. Ward, B. Pucci, H. Jarrett, et al.
  • Year: 2018
  • Citation: Parmenter B, Moore K, Angelino D, Del Rio D, McNulty H, Molloy AM, Cunningham C, Ward M, Pucci B, Jarrett H, et al. Validity of plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones as novel biomarkers of dietary (poly)phenols: Preliminary analysis from the VALID project. Proc Nutr Soc. 2018;77(3):234-243. doi: 10.1017/s0029665118001040.

• Blood pressure and hypertension in relation to cognitive performance in older Irish adults from the TUDA cohort: Preliminary analysis

  • Author(s): Harry Jarrett
  • Year: 2018
  • Citation: Jarrett H. Blood pressure and hypertension in relation to cognitive performance in older Irish adults from the TUDA cohort: Preliminary analysis. J Hum Hypertens. 2018;32(5):319-326. doi: 10.1038/s41371-018-0089-5.

• Effect of B-vitamin Supplementation on Cognitive Performance and Brain Function in The BrainHOP Trial

  • Author(s): Katie Moore, Catherine Hughes, Kirsty Porter, Leanne Doherty, Pramod Gaur, Fergal Tracey, Maurice O’Kane, Harry Jarrett, Mary Ward, Leanne Hoey
  • Year: 2018
  • Citation: Moore K, Hughes C, Porter K, Doherty L, Gaur P, Tracey F, O’Kane M, Jarrett H, Ward M, Hoey L. Effect of B-vitamin Supplementation on Cognitive Performance and Brain Function in The BrainHOP Trial. Age Ageing. 2018;47(5):702-710. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy141.35.