Denise Kohlhepp

Denise Kohlhepp is a DPhil candidate in Medical Sciences at the University of Oxford, funded by the ESRC. Her research investigates how lifestyle factors - particularly physical activity - influence cognition and mental health across the lifespan. She draws on methods from epidemiology, exercise science, psychology and behavioural science to advance precision lifestyle medicine and support body–mind health.

She has undertaken research at Stanford University and Harvard Medical School with a focus on lifestyle medicine and health optimisation, and currently serves as an advisor to the Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, supporting evidence-based behaviour and culture-informed public health. Her work contributes to breaking the wall from sick-care to patient-empowered, preventive health systems, with emphasis on health equity and scalable behaviour-change strategies.

Previously, Denise held leadership and teaching roles as a Head of Department, school leader and athletics coach. She holds an MPhil in Psychology and Education from the University of Cambridge (Distinction; Best Dissertation), is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and also holds the German Staatsexamen in Biology and English education. 

Driven by scientific translation and equitable innovation, she has co-founded initiatives in women’s health and longevity science and is passionate about accessible, real-world solutions at the intersection of lifestyle, behaviour and health systems.