Meet the Alumni: Towfida Siddiqua, PhD
Towfida Siddiqua, PhD
Year of graduation from UC Davis: 2014
Current position: Director, JiVITA Project (Johns Hopkins University)
ORCID profile: 0000-0002-1668-8538
How did you become interested in your field?
Growing up in Bangladesh, I observed firsthand how silent micronutrient deficiencies impede the development of at-risk populations. I was drawn to the field of global nutrition because I wanted to understand the biological mechanisms behind malnutrition, and I realized that early-life nutritional interventions are vital to ensuring equitable developmental outcomes.
What do you like most about your current career position?
What I treasure most is seeing rigorous scientific research translate into tangible hope for vulnerable communities. The journey here has been driven by a commitment to evidence-based improvements in maternal and child health in low-resource settings. Ultimately, knowing that the evidence we generate directly shapes policies to safeguard maternal well-being and the development of the next generation makes every effort worthwhile.
What advice do you have for students who are considering joining the Designated Emphasis in Global Nutrition at UC Davis?
Embrace every moment of multidisciplinary learning and cherish the mentorship around you. Always remember the human reality behind the numbers. The skills, connections, and global perspectives you build at Davis will prepare you to take on pressing health challenges with empathy and conviction. I warmly encourage you to pursue the Designated Emphasis in Global Nutrition at UC Davis and begin that journey.
Moving from Bangladesh to UC Davis, I immediately found a welcoming and inspiring environment at the Institute for Global Nutrition. It was far more than an academic unit - it was a community of world-class mentors and colleagues dedicated to advancing nutritional science and evidence-based solutions for vulnerable populations worldwide. Working within that mission shaped not just my research questions, but my lifelong purpose.