Education
DrPH, Johns Hopkins University, 1996
MSc, University of Baroda
Overview
For the past 18 years my research has focused on the role of nutrition in influencing maternal, infant and child health, survival, growth and development in low income countries. I am specifically interested in micronutrient deficiencies and their impact on fetal growth, birth outcomes, reproductive health and survival and child survival, growth and development. My research, carried out in Nepal, examined the impact of alternative combinations of micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy in reducing low birth weight and neonatal mortality. Recently, I was involved in two large community trials in Bangladesh of maternal vitamin A and beta-carotene supplementation and its impact on maternal mortality and the impact of newborn vitamin A supplementation on infant mortality. Currently, I am co-PI of a trial in Bangladesh, which aims to test the efficacy of maternal multiple micronutrient supplementation in improving infant survival. Within this study, I am also specifically interested in examining the influence of nutrients on materno-fetal-placental factors promoting fetal growth. I am also involved in prospective cohort studies to examine the long term impact of maternal micronutrient interventions on cognitive outcomes funded by NICHD (R01) and early biomarkers of chronic diseases in the children of the women who participated in the original trial who are now 6-8 y of age. I have recently completed studies of treatment of severe anemia in pregnant women and young children in Karachi, Pakistan.
Honors and Awards
2008 M. S. University of Baroda, Foods and Nutrition Department, India - Alumni Achievement Award
2004 Pollin Stipend for young investigator of $100,000
1997 Delta Omega Honor Society (Johns Hopkins)
1996 Harry D. Kruse Award
1996 Society for International Nutrition Research - Student Prize