About Us

 

As independent consultants we are objective, realistic scientists who are passionate about what we do.

At Heartwood Health we:

  • take time to understand your strategic goals and priorities and develop a research plan with you

  • believe a sound evidence base and integrity are crucial to building credible solutions and services that work

  • offer realistic solutions based on real world evidence, not what we think you want to hear, and we challenge conventional wisdom when required.

  • keep you regularly informed of the progress of projects and will discuss possible adaptations to objectives and timelines as soon as we are aware that they are needed.

We do not:

  • Cherry pick evidence

  • Trawl data or manipulate data 

  • Produce lengthy reports with no substance or actionable recommendations

Kirsten Rennie MA PhD RNutr (Public Health)

Founder and Principal Consultant

Kirsten is a graduate of University of Cambridge (MA Cantab Biological Anthropology) and holds a postgraduate degree (MPhil Epidemiology) and PhD in Epidemiology from The Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge. She is a registered nutritionist specialising in Public Health with the Association for Nutrition.

She has spent over 25 years working in epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology and specialises in remote monitoring and decentralised studies with apps and wearable data in a range of therapeutic areas. Kirsten has a track record of managing both large-scale and pilot projects with multi-disciplinary teams in corporate, academia and consultancy including healthcare, consumer goods and pharmaceutical companies. To date she has published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as reports and reviews, including submissions to European Medicines Agency and governing bodies.

Her aim is to see a better understanding of epidemiology and digital healthcare built on a sound evidence base. Kirsten enjoys solving problems, designing studies and working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.  

She enjoys running, rowing, cooking and drinking coffee in the sun.

Associates

Louise du Plessis MSc, RD  Senior Associate

 

Louise holds a BSc in Dietetics, MSc in Nutrition and a Postgraduate qualification in Sports and Exercise Nutrition. She is currently pursuing a PhD (part-time) in Psychology.

She has over 10 years’ experience in FMCG companies, academic research and public health. Louise specialises in effective behaviour change interventions and translating scientific evidence into appropriate brand communications for health influencers and consumers. She has particular expertise in online behaviour change tools, consumer decision making and pre-launch and post-launch support to marketing and platform teams. Louise has an extensive track record of leading projects working with health scientists, key opinion formers, brand development teams, legal and consumer groups.

Louise is attuned to the ever changing field of behaviour change and is passionate about helping individuals change their behaviour in order to live healthier lives and prevent chronic disease. 

 She enjoys running, cycling, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two children. 

Lisa Ware MSc, PhD Senior Associate

 

Lisa is an experienced health scientist. She has postgraduate degrees in Health Psychology (MSc), Nutrition and Physiology (PhD). With research experience in industry, consultancy and in academia, she has over 100 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. She has spent 12 years conducting research studies in high-income countries and the last 12 years also conducting research in low- and middle-income countries (based in sub-Saharan Africa).

Lisa specialises in understanding and designing health behaviour interventions, including the design and delivery of RCTs. Her work focuses on the use of health technologies to support behaviour change in the context in which people live. Previous projects have included blood pressure control and weight management digital programmes, using apps, wearables and bluetooth-enabled external devices to support behaviour change.

Her aim is to find ways that technology can be integrated into people’s lives to improve health, wellbeing and healthcare service delivery.

She enjoys people, gardening, scuba diving and spending time in nature.