About
Barbara Piperata is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on biocultural determinants of maternal-child health, particularly in Latin America, exploring how resource insecurities (food, water, energy) impact health and well-being. She leads a multidisciplinary project in Brazil’s Amazon region examining infant microbiome development and co-directs the Human Biological Anthropology Lab (HBAL). She directs the Medical Anthropology BA & BS degree program and teaches courses like 'Modern Human Physical Variation' and 'Global Food Crisis.'
Her work spans Nicaragua, Brazil, and Ecuador, with emphasis on field-based studies of dietary patterns, household poverty, and socio-ecological systems. She collaborates with institutions in Brazil and the U.S. on projects addressing child health and environmental health disparities. Piperata’s research also involves analyzing the intersection of cultural beliefs and resource insecurities in shaping health outcomes.
