Jessica Omand

Jessica Omand is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nutrition at Toronto Metropolitan University, with expertise in paediatric nutrition and nutritional epidemiology. She holds a PhD and MSc from the University of Toronto’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children. Her research focuses on primary prevention of childhood diseases through early-life nutritional interventions, particularly linking TARGet Kids! database with health administrative data to study vitamin D, BMI trajectories, and school readiness.

Education:

• PhD and MSc in Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children
• Registered Dietitian (College of Dietitians of Ontario)

Research Interests: Her work examines nutritional risk in early childhood, school readiness, growth trajectories, and the impact of dietary intake and behaviors on child development. Key projects include studying the relationship between BMI, screen time, and school readiness, as well as validating dietary assessment tools for children.

Awards:

• CCHCSP Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019–2023)
• Clinician Scientist Training Program Fellowship (2018–2020)
• CIHR Doctoral Award (2014–2018)

Teaching: Undergraduate courses include Professional Practice, Introduction to Research, and Interpersonal Communication. Graduate courses focus on Health Behavior Understanding and Professional Practice.

Grants & Collaborations: Supported by CIHR and national Clinician Scientist Training programs. Collaborates on studies like the Fit for School cohort and CoMFORT randomized trial examining cow’s milk fat’s effects on adiposity.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the TARGet Kids! research network, a primary care-based pediatric cohort in Canada.