Dr Roberta Mendes, RD
Roberta Mendes, RD, PhD is the Programme Lead for MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration) at Portobello Institute, bringing 25 years of experience spanning clinical nutrition, public health, research, and higher education.
A CORU-registered dietitian in Ireland and originally from South Brazil, she specialises in maternal health, paediatric nutrition, diabetes, and cardiovascular health.
Industry Experience & Career Outcomes
- 25 years’ experience spanning clinical nutrition, paediatrics, maternal and child health, public health, research, higher education, and private practice
- Worked in hospitals, paediatric services, and community healthcare settings supporting patients across a range of clinical areas
- Held academic and research roles with institutions including University College Dublin, Children’s Health Ireland, and universities in Brazil
- A CORU-registered dietitian in Ireland with specialist expertise in maternal health, paediatric nutrition, diabetes, and cardiovascular health
- Owner of a private nutrition practice supporting women, babies, and families
Roberta’s Pathway in Dietetics
Some people know what they want to do in life from an early age. For Roberta, that passion began with healthcare. Originally from South Brazil, she grew up surrounded by healthcare professionals, including her mother and aunt, and quickly realised she wanted a career that combined science, health, and helping people.
“I came from a healthcare professional family, so it was my life since I was very small,” says Roberta. “My mother is a dentist, and I was always seeing her help people and working closely with clients. Becoming a dietitian felt like a very natural way for me.”
Roberta’s early career combined clinical hospital work with sports nutrition consultations after qualifying in Nutrition and Dietetics. As her interest in research and education developed, she went on to complete both a Master’s and PhD in Physiology, focusing on areas including diabetes and cardiovascular health, before progressing into university teaching and research roles.
Throughout every stage of her career, she continued working directly with patients through clinical practice and consultancy.
“My education gave me the scientific background to work in clinical practice, research, and teaching,” Roberta explains.
“Dietetics is a well-recognised profession with many different career paths. I have been able to work in hospitals, universities, clinical research, and private practice, and I have always found opportunities to continue developing professionally.”
Teaching & Supporting Students
With over 25 years of clinical, research, and teaching experience, Roberta brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the classroom, helping students connect academic theory with real-world dietetic practice.
Her teaching style is practical, discussion-led, and designed to keep students engaged throughout the programme. She encourages learners to develop strong communication, critical thinking, and behavioural change skills – all essential for supporting patients effectively.
“I bring as many examples as possible from my day-to-day clinical practice,” says Roberta. “Real-world experience and patient interaction help students connect the academic content with their future professional roles.”
She adds that one very important area for dietitians today is protecting people from misinformation on social media, with a strong movement within the profession focused on ensuring people have access to trustworthy nutrition advice.
“We aim to provide students with the best scientific evidence and prepare them to become serious dietitians committed to evidence-based dietetics.”
Career Opportunities in Dietetics
Currently, Ireland and the UK have a shortage of healthcare professionals, including dietitians. Roberta notes that there are strong employment opportunities for graduates, and the profession offers a stable and secure career.
Students completing the programme will gain practical experience and placement hours that prepare them to work across different healthcare settings.
Roberta explains: “You can work in hospitals supporting patients with disease treatment, in community settings offering consultations in areas such as diabetes, cardiovascular health, and paediatrics, or within research, public health, education, and private practice.
“There are also opportunities to specialise in areas such as sports nutrition, maternal nutrition and paediatrics, or even run your own clinic and work alongside GPs.”
Professional Impact
While dietetics offers strong career prospects and professional stability, the real reward comes from the impact dietitians can have on people’s health and wellbeing.
“You can completely change someone’s life because many diseases are connected to health and nutrition,” says Roberta.
“A healthy diet can help prevent conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Even during pregnancy, nutrition can have a significant impact on a baby’s future health and development.”
Being a dietitian, she reflects, is very rewarding because sometimes a very small change in the diet can make a huge difference.
“It’s amazing to see that your work and your advice can really help people and improve their health.”
Advice for Students
Roberta’s most valuable advice is: “Bring your passion for dietetics and for people, your social skills, and lots of dedication and organisation to get the best from your Master’s.”
She encourages students to stay curious, continue engaging with scientific evidence, and remember the importance of empathy, communication, and supporting people throughout their health journey.
“Dietetics is not just about food – it’s about people,” Roberta emphasises. “It’s a rewarding profession for those who want to help others improve their health and wellbeing.”
Why Portobello
Portobello Institute passionately believes that there is more than one route into professional careers. Inspired by its innovative approach to creating a new pathway into dietetics within the Irish education landscape, Roberta was keen to support the development and launch of the MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration) programme in a modern, flexible learning environment.
She recognises that the institute offers students a highly practical learning experience, supported by a diverse team of experienced lecturers who bring real industry expertise into the classroom.
“The MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration) course is very practical. We have many opportunities for learning in practical settings, with registered dietitians from different backgrounds and lots of placement experience for students.”
Explore Dietetics at Portobello
Ready to pursue a future in dietetics? Discover how Programme Lead Roberta Mendes and the MSc Dietetics (Pre-registration) programme help you progress into the profession.
