Student spotlight: Aaron Hengist
Nutrition
Dr. Aaron Hengist completed his Rank Prize-funded PhD at the University of Bath in 2022, working with Professor Javier Gonzalez on interactions between dietary carbohydrate intake and energy balance in humans.
Aaron is now a Visiting Fellow at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH in the US. He took some time out to reflect on his experiences as a PhD student and to offer some advice to students thinking about further research.
Rank Prize (RP): What made you want to do a PhD?
Aaron Hengist (AH): In the third year of my undergraduate degree, I did a placement year where I stayed at the University of Bath as a Research Assistant. Working across numerous different projects and learning lots of techniques with a great team made me want to continue with research and try to lead a project.
RP: How did you get your PhD grant?
AH: The PhD position was posted online by my supervisor, Professor Javier Gonzalez, who was a lecturer on my undergraduate course. I reached out to ask more about the topic and planned studies. After submitting an online application, I was invited for an interview and read as many papers as I could about the area. I was very fortunate that my skills and experience were a good match with the equipment and setting required to complete the planned studies.
Rank Prize really care about supporting research and the research community.”
Aaron Hengist Research Fellow, National Institutes of Health, United States
RP: What were some of the benefits of holding a Rank Prize studentship?
AH: Rank Prize were incredibly supportive during my time as a PhD student. When COVID-19 presented an uncertain time for postgraduates, Rank Prize stepped up and helped me (and many other postgraduates) with financial support to continue our research. For me this showed Rank Prize really care about supporting research and the research community.
RP: Have you been involved with any other Rank Prize activities and how did you find them?
AH: I was extremely grateful to be invited to attend the prizegiving ceremony twice in London. The award lectures and opportunity to meet esteemed nutrition scientists inspired me and gave me extra motivation for data collection.
Get in the lab – either as a participant or a research assistant – and learn about the scientific process. Reach out to people doing research you are interested in and ask lots of questions. Tell them you want to do research.”
Aaron Hengist Research Fellow, National Institutes of Health, United States
RP: What are you working on now?
AH: I am now working at the National Institutes of Health in the US, where I am leading a study which is looking at the combined effects of starting a ketogenic (low carb) diet, with or without a supplement called Nicotinamide Riboside. The PhD studentship was great preparation for running a clinical trial in a bigger institute with lots of departments involved.
RP: Do you have any advice for undergrads thinking about a career in research?
AH: Reading papers is great but, if possible, get in the lab – either as a participant or a research assistant – and learn about the scientific process. Reach out to people doing research you are interested in and ask lots of questions. Tell them you want to do research, and hopefully they will be able to help find funding and opportunities to further your career.
The Rank Prize Nutrition committee will be launching the first fully-funded Lord Selborne PhD scholarship in nutrition this autumn – more information coming soon!
