Brie Oaks
director
I am interested in reducing health disparities. While there are many strategies to do this, I investigate the possibilities involving prenatal nutrition. Nutrition during pregnancy is a low-cost investment that has the potential to not only improve birth outcomes but also to affect health in later life. My research group and I focus on conducting studies in which we collect biomarkers of micronutrient status and cortisol for lab analysis. Our work is interdisciplinary and we often collaborate with other researchers in other fields such as child development and public health.
As a professor within the Department of Nutrition, I teach courses in micronutrient nutrition and global nutrition. I completed my PhD and postdoctoral training in international nutrition at University of California, Davis. I earned an MPH from George Washington University and BA (sociology) and BS (biology) degrees from The Evergreen State College.
evelyn mensah
phd student
My research interests include maternal and child health nutrition with a focus on prenatal nutrition. Nutrition before pregnancy is equally important as nutrition during pregnancy, and if pre-conceptual nutrition is optimal, it has the potential to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes. Working in the Oaks Lab gives me the opportunity to collect and analyze biomarkers of micronutrient status of women planning on getting pregnant in undeserved communities. I earned my MS in Dietetics and BS in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Ghana. I am a Registered Licensed Dietitian with experience in both clinical and community nutrition with several volunteering experiences within Ghana. I enjoy reading, walking and dancing.
kenneth addae
masters Student
A child's growth and development depends highly on optimum nutrition during the first 1000 days of life as well as a mother's nutrition before, during and after pregnancy. My research interest is geared towards incorporating biomarkers of health to address micronutrient gaps among pregnant women and children. I completed my BS in Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Ghana. My long term goal is to assiduously hone my skills and knowledge in the field of maternal and child nutrition to develop more robust research methods and intervention programs to bridge the gap of micronutrient deficiency in developing countries like my home country Ghana. On a flip hobby side, I love to sing chorale music and cook.
sophie herman
undergraduate student
I am an undergraduate at URI studying Cell and Molecular Biology, and I am also a member of the Women's Tennis team! Through athletics, I have learned about nutrition for sports performance, which has encouraged me to pursue undergraduate research in nutrition. As a researcher, I'm interested in pursuing nutrition from the aspect of maternal and fetal nutrition, as well as understanding nutrition needs for female athletes. In my first semester at the Oaks Lab, I am excited to explore the health benefits of maternal probiotic use during pregnancy for both mother and child. At URI, I am also a representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, a Student Athlete Orientation Leader, and an Ambassador of the Honors Program. In the future, I hope to explore careers with medicine and medical research. In my free time, I love to try new foods, exercise, and spend time with friends and family.
ALUMNI
