We are so happy and proud of all the students graduating this academic year! Major Congratulations to Dr. Rachel Rickman!!!

Rachel Rickman

Damini Patel

Haley Etzler

Jean Nie

Gabriella Colon

Marcela Salinas

Mariana Lozano

We are so proud of Amy Nichols for successfully defending her dissertation work!!! Way to go, Amy!

We are so proud of the Widen Lab seniors (Lauren, Jose, and Solina) who graduated on Saturday!

Dr. Widen’s research findings were recently highlighted in an article in The Texas Scientist. Specifically, her work with her colleagues at Columbia University investigating the impacts of mothers’ body weight and the home environment on the development and outcomes of their babies. This research suggests that boys appear to be more vulnerable in utero than girls.

The article, “Boys and Risk in Utero“, has more details about the research and recommendations for women and pregnant people looking to stay healthy.

Amy Nichols Recognized as a Finalist for the American Society for Nutrition’s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program

Amy Nichols has been named as a finalist for the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program, a program of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) which recognizes the highest quality research presented by students and young investigators at NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE.

More than 800 abstracts were submitted by students and postdoctoral fellows and the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Abstract Recognition Award Program aims to recognize the top 15% highest scoring abstracts. Abstracts were rated by more than 450 nutrition scientists.

Finalists will be recognized during NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE, the American Society for Nutrition’s annual scientific event that will be held virtually from June 7-10, 2021.

Amy’s abstract for NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE is titled “Prenatal Weight Change Trajectories Among Women With Obesity.”

“Through this program, the American Society for Nutrition celebrates the achievements of our rising stars,” stated Lindsay H. Allen, PhD, President, American Society for Nutrition. “The Society looks forward to watching their future contributions to advance our understanding of nutrition science and practice.”

About NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE

NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE is the flagship online meeting of the American Society for Nutrition and the premier educational event for nutritional professionals around the globe. NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE brings together lab scientists, practicing clinicians, population health researchers and community intervention investigators to identify solutions to today’s greatest nutrition challenges. Our audience also includes rising leaders in the field – undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. Last year’s virtual event attracted more than 30,000 scientists from 167 countries.

About the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)

ASN is the preeminent professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians around the world. Founded in 1928, the society brings together the top nutrition researchers, medical practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders to advance our knowledge and application of nutrition. ASN publishes four peer-reviewed journals and provides education and professional development opportunities to advance nutrition research, practice, and education. www.nutrition.org

One of the lab’s graduate student researchers, Rachel, was selected for the Jean Hankin Nutritional Epidemiology Research Grant for her proposal focusing on growth and development trajectories of preterm infants and infants with gastroschisis.  Congrats again, Rachel!!

Muhammad Asim, a former visiting scholar with the Widen Lab, recently published a mixed-methods paper on prelacteal feeding practices (feeding substances or liquids other than breast milk to newborns) in Pakistan in the International Breastfeeding Journal. This paper triangulated data collected using both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative (analysis of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey) methods and found that prelacteal feeding is a well-established social norm in Pakistan, and may be associated with several socio-cultural influences. We are so glad we had the opportunity to work with Asim on this project and look forward to the next iteration of this work!