Blog

Dr. Christine M. McDonald is a nutritional epidemiologist whose research focuses on developing and evaluating interventions to

 improve maternal and child nutrition in low-resource settings. Her work examines how nutrition interventions can prevent micronutrient deficiencies, improve health outcomes, and be incorporated into effective public health programs.

Addis Ababa University, Public Health

Graduate Group in Epidemiology

My research focuses on the relationship between dietary intake during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. 

University of Ghana, BSc Nutrition and Food Science, 2018

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology

Adapting a mobile AI application for use in nutrition research within the US context
 

Year of graduation from UC Davis: 2010

Current position: Professor and Assistant Dean for Research at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center

ORCID profile: 0000-0003-0315-7022

Connect on LinkedIn

Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition, CSU Sacramento, 2022

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology (GGNB)

My research in the Falbe lab aims to reduce disparities in cardiometabolic diseases through the development of interventions and policies that increase nutritional awareness and literacy. Specifically, my research focuses on health communication, marketing environments in food retailers, and improving health equity through the use of nutrient warning labels.

Bachelor of Science, University of Oregon, Human Physiology, 2017

Master of Public Health, Emory University, Global Epidemiology, 2019

Graduate Group in Epidemiology

My research focuses on micronutrient intake and nutritional adequacy among U.S. populations using NHANES data. I apply advanced statistical methods to estimate usual dietary intake and examine trends, food sources, and disparities to inform nutrition policy and intervention strategies.

Calvin College, Biology and French, 2017

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Projected Graduation: 2027

My research focuses on the benefits and risks of micronutrient interventions as well as methods for assessing nutritional adequacy in populations. 

Year of graduation from UC Davis: 1998

Current position: Professor of Nutrition, University of Ghana

Former Position: Director of Nutrition at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

ORCID profile: 0000-0002-7870-2606

Dr. Reina Engle-Stone is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutrition and a faculty member of the Institute for Global Nutrition at UC Davis. She currently serves as Chair of the Designated Emphasis in Global Nutrition.

Fort Valley State University, Biology, 2016

Graduate Group in Nutrition Biology
Projected Graduation Year: 2026

My research focuses on how prenatal nutrition, breastfeeding practices, and early childhood feeding behaviors influence long-term health and development. Her dissertation explores individual and community-level factors contributing to infant nutrition disparities, and how targeted interventions can help reduce these inequities. 

Year of graduation from UC Davis: 2007

Current position: Consultant/Creator, Wuehler Solutions

Connect on LinkedIn

My research in Ecuador, along with Peace Corps in Gabon, were critical in demonstrating international experience to potential employers. However, what is most important is to demonstrate the ability to see beyond self.

Bachelor of Medicine, The University of Indonesia, 2013
Medical Doctorate, The University of Indonesia, 2014
Master of Nutrition, The University of Indonesia, 2019

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Projected Graduation Year: 2026/2027

University of California, Berkeley, Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, Dietetics, 2003

Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology
Projected Graduation Year: 2026

My research focuses on maternal and child health, lactation and child development.

Dr. Lauren Au is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at UC Davis. Her work focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to improve dietary assessment technologies and examining how cross-utilization of nutrition safety net programs influences nutrition security and health outcomes. She has extensive experience evaluating nutrition policy changes within the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the National School Lunch Program.

Year of graduation from UC Davis: 2019

Current position: Regional Nutrition Advisor for Africa, Helen Keller Intl.

Connect on LinkedIn