Crystal Dawn Karakochuk

Dr. Crystal Dawn Karakochuk is an Associate Professor in Human Nutrition at The University of British Columbia, holding a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Micronutrients and Human Health. She serves as an Investigator at both the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Women's Health Research Institute. Her academic appointments include membership in the Department of Food, Nutrition, and Health within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

• PhD in Human Nutrition, University of British Columbia
• MSc in Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto
• Dietetic Internship, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre
• BSc in Dietetics, University of British Columbia

Dr. Karakochuk's research program centers on micronutrients and human health with a focus on anemia prevention and treatment. Her work explores the risk-benefit of micronutrient interventions in children and pregnant individuals, particularly examining iron metabolism, hemoglobin measurement techniques, and genetic hemoglobinopathies. She has extensive experience working internationally with organizations like the UN World Food Programme and UNICEF in nutrition programming and humanitarian aid. Her current research emphasizes advances in hemoglobin measurement and the risk-benefit assessment of micronutrient interventions globally.

Analysis of Dr. Karakochuk's recent publications reveals a strong focus on maternal and child nutrition, particularly in global contexts. Her work frequently examines iron and folate metabolism in pregnancy, with significant research conducted in Cambodia. She has pioneered studies comparing different forms of iron supplements, investigated hemoglobin measurement techniques across populations, and examined the effects of micronutrient supplementation on maternal and infant health outcomes. Her research bridges laboratory science with clinical applications and public health policy.

• CIHR Vanier Scholar
• Thrasher Research Foundation Early Career Award
• International Life Sciences Institute North America Future Leaders Award
• ILSI Award for Early Career Contribution to Micronutrient Malnutrition
• Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award
• CNS-CIHR INMD New Investigator Award (2021)
• American Society for Nutrition Mead Johnson Award (2023)
• Canada Research Chair Tier 2 in Micronutrients and Human Health

Dr. Karakochuk actively supervises a diverse team of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows working on various aspects of micronutrient research. Her current projects include the EASE-Iron trial comparing iron supplement forms during pregnancy, the PREFACE trial examining folic acid versus 5-MTHF supplementation, and multiple studies on anemia assessment methods. She has successfully secured funding from major organizations including CIHR and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, supporting both her Canadian and international research initiatives.

Dr. Karakochuk leads the Karakochuk Research Group, which maintains active laboratory facilities at UBC and research sites in Cambodia. Her team includes PhD and MSc students, postdoctoral fellows, and research coordinators working collaboratively on multiple projects. The lab has strong partnerships with the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Women's Health Research Institute, and international organizations including the World Health Organization, where she serves on the guideline development group for hemoglobin interpretation.