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Current Students

Grant J. Aaron

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Judith S. Stern

BS Clinical Nutrition, University of California, Davis, 2005

Volunteer health worker, Red Cross Honduras

Food cost & energy density study with low-income Californian women.

Determinants of childhood obesity

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Kenneth H. Brown

B.S. (Biochemistry and Nutrition), University of Ghana, Legon, 1997

M.Phil (Nutrition), University of Ghana, Legon, 2001

(1) Dietetic Technician with the Ghana Health Services

(2) Field Supervisor for the WHO/ Multicenter Growth Reference Study (Ghana site)

(3) Research Assistant at the Micro Nutrient Laboratories (University of Ghana, Legon), for studies on Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Charles Stephensen

B.S. (Biology), University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 1999

M.P.H. (Environmental Health Science), Columbia University, New York, NY, 2001

(1) Research Assistant, Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, Hermosillo, Mexico. Investigated the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the nutritional status of children with chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain throughout Mexico.

(2) Public Health Epidemiologist, New York City Department of Health, New York, NY. Coordinated, designed, and analyzed air pollution sampling studies that monitored environmental pollutants in New York City following the World Trade Center disaster.

Nutritional health disparities in underserved ethnic communities domestically and internationally

Graduate Group in Epidemiology
Major Professor: Philip H. Kass

B.A. (Management), The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1989

M.S. (Epidemiology), The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, 2001.  Thesis: “Care and feeding practices and their association with stunting among young children residing in Karachi’s squatter settlements”

(1) Fogarty Research Fellow on an International Maternal & Child Health Training Grant at The Aga Khan University’s Community Health Sciences Department, Karachi, Pakistan.  Work included:  Conceptual development of nutrition component as well as the pyscho-social component for a study on perinatal infections and birth outcomes conducted in joint collaboration between the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA and The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan (2001-2003).

(2) Principal Investigator for project entitled "Development of Improved Complementary Feeding Practices and Foods in Pakistan:  A Base Line Survey of Care and Feeding Practices and their Determinants" (2000-2002).  Objectives included:

a) cross-sectional survey of care and feeding practices of infants/young children aged 6-18 months,
b) quantification of nutrititional intake using dietary instruments which included FFQ, 24-hour dietary recall, and weighing method,
c) development and validation of a pictorial questionnaire for use among an illiterate population, and
d) evaluation of microbial contamination of home-available complementary foods.

Nutritional and behavioral epidemiology, methodological issues in dietary assessment methods, household food security and gender-related issues, care and feeding practices, management of data and questionnaire designing

Khadija Begum

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Kathryn G. Dewey

MPH (Masters in Public Health), School of Medical Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2002.  MPH Thesis:  “Assessment of iron status of Vietnamese infants living in Sydney”.

(1) Medical Officer, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (1994-2003)

(2) Assistant Scientist, Child Health Unit, Public Health Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, Dhaka, Bangladesh

(1) “Multi-Country Evaluation (MCE) of the health and economic impact of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), Matlab, Bangladesh”. Bangladesh is one of the five countries participating in the in-depth study on Multi-Country Evaluation (MCE) of IMCI effectiveness cost and impact implemented by World Health Organization. The Bangladesh study is being implemented by International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and WHO.

(2) “IMCI follow-up after training to review and monitor Health Worker’s performance and quality of case management and counseling” implemented by International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in collaboration with Government of Bangladesh and UNICEF.

Maternal and child health and nutrition; infant feeding practices and dietary factors in relation to anemia and iron deficiency; community nutrition in low income countries: intervention design and evaluation.

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Lucia Kaiser

B.S. (Foods & Nutrition), San Diego State University, May, 1999

Registered Dietitian, Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, CA

Childhood obesity and child-feeding practices of Mexican children in the U.S.

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Lindsay Allen

Undergraduate degree:

M.S. (Food Science & Human Nutrition), University of Florida Gainesville, FL, 1985

Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian

Micronutrient deficiencies in women and children in the developing world / food strategies vs. supplementation

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Janet C. King

B.S. (Nutrition and Food Science), Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico, 1999

M.S. (Health Science), National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico, 2003

Associate Researcher, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico

Pregnancy, overweight and obesity, carbohydrate metabolism and genetics

Determining the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes among pregnant Mexican women with low income.  Determine the effect of a low glycemic load diet on glucose tolerance among overweight and obese pregnant Mexican women.  These studies are being conducted at the Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City.  This institution provides health care to low-medium, income women who do not have medical insurance.

(1) Hotz C, De Haene J, Woodhouse LR, Villalpando S, Rivera JA, King JC. Zinc absorption from zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, zinc oxide + EDTA, or sodium-zinc EDTA does not differ when added as fortificants to maize tortillas. J Nutr. 2005 May;135(5):1102-5.

(2) Hernandez B, De Haene J, Barquera S, Monterrubio E, Rivera J, Shamah T, Sepulveda J, Haas J, Campirano F.  Factors associated with physical activity among Mexican women of childbearing age. Rev Panam Salud Pública. 2003 Oct;14(4):235-45. (Spanish)

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Kenneth H. Brown

B.A. (Biological Sciences), Cornell University, Ithaca NY, 2005

Andrew G. Hall

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor:  Janet C. King

Eric L. Hazzard

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor:  Sheri Zindenberg-Cherr

B.S (Animal Science), University of California, Davis

Nutrition education

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Kenneth H. Brown

Degrees:

M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), Rajshahi Medical College, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, 1985

Publications:

Joshua Jorgensen

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Kenneth H. Brown

B.S. (Nutrition Science), University of California, Davis, 2001

Rotary Youth Exchange Student to Spain, Summer, 1993 – Summer, 1994

Disease prevention in children of developing countries

Graduate Group in Epidemiology

M.B.B.S. (Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery), Sir Salimullah Medical College, University of Dhaka, 2001 

(1) MPH (Masters in Public Health), James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, 2006

(2) MSc (Health Economics), University of Dhaka, 2003

Research Investigator, Social and Behavioral Sciences Unit, Public Health and Sciences Division, ICDDR,B (Knowledge for Global Lifesaving Solutions), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Gender and nutrition, chronic diseases in developing world, health system and economic burden of diseases

(1) Majula Singh and Rumana Jesmin Khan. 2006. A Cultural Explanatory Model for White Discharge Amongst Women in Kakaboo Village, Bangladesh: BRAC University Journal 3(1): 17-26.

(2) Rumana Jesmin  Khan, KMHS Sirajul Haque , Nadia Ishrat Alamgir, MA Muqueet. Cost of treatment of acute  myocardial infarction and unstable angina  in hospitals of  Dhaka city: (Abstract) 25th Annual General Meeting and Scientific conference, Chest & Heart Association of Bangladesh, March  2004.

(3) Rumana Jesmin Khan, Shakil Ahmed, Demissie Habte, Aliya Naheed. Out of pocket payment for inpatient pneumonia care in Dhaka city: (Abstract) on 1st Annual Early Childhood Conference 2006, 15-17 September 2006, Dhaka, Bangladesh by Early Concern, Center for Early Childhood Development and Research. 

Rochelle M. Lacey

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor:  Lucia L. Kaiser

B.S. (Nutrition) from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, December 2004

10-week Internship at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH) under the guidance of Dr. Suzanne Murphy.  Analyzed vitamin E content of foods, especially those commonly consumed in Hawaii, in order to update the values of the CRCH food composition database.

Samoan health beliefs and dietary practices among adolescents, parents, and public health officials residing in American Samoa.

Frank AA, Murphy SP, Lacey R, Custer LJ.  Tocopherol and tocotrienol of foods consumed in Hawaii.  J. Agr. Food Chem. (in press).

Zeina Maalouf

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Kathryn G. Dewey

B.S. (Nutrition & Dietetics), American University of Beirut, 2003

M.S. (Food Policy & Applied Nutrition), Tufts University, 2005

(1) World Bank, Africa Bureau, Qualitative Study of the Implementation Strategies of the Senegal National Nutrition Enhancement Program

(2) Programs Assistant, Global Food & Nutrition Inc, Washington, DC

Maternal nutrition, infant feeding, relation to obesity

Graduate Group in Epidemiology
Major Professor: Kathryn G. Dewey

Undergraduate degree, institution and date received:

B.S. (Psychology), Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru, 1995

Professional Titled in Educational Psychology from Catholic University of Peru, 2001

Maternal and infant health

Graduate Group in Nutrition
Major Professor: Kenneth H. Brown

B.S. (Nutrition and Food Science), Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico, 1999.  Thesis:  “Incorporation of a micronutrient-fortified sweet bread in the diet of rural Mexican toddlers: impact on iron and zinc intake”

MPH (International Health), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National School of Health, Madrid, Spain, 2001.  Thesis:  “Anemia and micronutrient deficiency in Mexican women: Data from the National Nutrition Survey, 1999”

Researcher,  National Institute of Public Health, Center for Research in Nutrition and Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico

Environmental determinants of mineral absorption

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Lindsay H. Allen

Undergraduate degrees:

Diet Clerk at Marin General Hospital, Professional Chef

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Lindsay H. Allen

B.S. (Biochemistry), University of California, Davis 1991

(1) Food security and management for refugee camps with CARE in Somalia

(2) Nutritional education at feeding centers, with Refugee Health Unit in Somalia

(3) Nutritional assessment team, with CARE in Ethiopia

Bone Health:  calcium loss among post menopausal women in underserved ethnic communities domestically and internationally

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Lucia Kaiser

BS (Nutrition and Food Science), The Iberoamerican University, Guanajuato, Mexico, 1996

MS (Educational Analysis and Development), The Iberoamerican University, Guanajuato, Mexico, 2003

(1) Professor, University of Guanajuato, Medical School, 1997-2006 
(2) Visiting Scholar, University Autonomous, Madrid, Spain, 2003

Relationship between immigration to the U.S. and child feeding practices that promote obesity

Graduate Group in Nutrition
Major Professor: Kathryn G. Dewey

Kimberly Ryan Wessells

B.A. (Socio cultural anthropology) and

B.S. (Microbiology), University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 2003

(1) Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa (community health development volunteer)

(2) School for International Training (Semester Abroad Program), Bamako, Mali 2001

(3) Field Study:  "Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Mali:  Designing, Implementing and Evaluating a Public Health Initiative"

Functional impacts of zinc deficiency, zinc supplementation and fortification programs

Elizabeth Yakes

Graduate Group in Epidemiology

B.S. (Nutrition), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 2003

M.S. (Public Health Nutrition), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 2003

(1) Public Health Nutritionist, Shasta County Public Health (Redding, CA).

(2) Adjunct Faculty (Nutrition), Shasta College (Redding, CA).

(3) Research Assistant for study examining parenting issues in adherence to the dietary treatment regimen for children and adolescents with phenylketonuria and type I diabetes, University Hospitals of Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)

(4) Dietetic internship experiences at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health, and Cleveland community clinics/hospitals

(5) Lab Assistant for studies to determine the cell signaling cascades involved in the development of ethanol-induced liver disease, CWRU Department of Nutrition (Cleveland, OH)

Nutritional epidemiology and surveillance; health policy; exposure to environmental pollutants via food consumption

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Major Professor: Francene Steinberg

B.S. (Human Nutrition and Foods), Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 1998

M.S. (Human Nutrition), Washington State University, Pullman, WA.  2000.  Thesis: “Modulation with Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Human subjects with Type II Diabetes Mellitus”

Clinical, Community and Consultant Registered Dietitian

Nutrition behavior and disease prevention in the low-income minority population