I am a biological anthropologist specializing in contemporary human variation in micronutrient storage and metabolism. My research focuses on the health and evolutionary implications of mother and offspring nutrition. In my research, I combine epidemiological, biomarker and ethnographic methods to investigate biocultural pathways to malnutrition. I am particularly interested in clarifying why some nutritional deficiencies and health issues persist today despite public health intervention efforts. I address these issues through hypothesis testing, guided by evolutionary biological and social theories, using data collected in non-clinical, community settings. My publications on maternal hepatic and breast milk vitamin A are examples of this approach. My work also evaluates the applicability of clinical nutrition and health research methods to anthropological studies in resource-poor, non-clinical settings. My publications on retinol-binding protein and C-reactive protein in dried blood spots represent this effort. My laboratory is a biosafety level 2 facility located in Giltner Hall of MSU. Recent and current student projects in my lab include: “The effect of maternal vitamin A status on secretory immunoglobulin A secretion into breast milk” by Janine Baranski, “Pathways between food insecurity and serum folate status through coping strategies” by Allison Apland, and “Feasibility study for iron status dried blood spot assay” by Jonah Stone.

Simultaneous impacts of food insecurity, poverty and milk rationing on dietary quality of Kenyan mothers

Human milk antibody as parental investment: A preliminary analysis of secretory immunoglobulin A data from northern Kenya

Multiple causes of maternal anemia and possible impacts on breast milk quality