Edward A Ruiz-Narvaez

Edward A Ruiz-Narvaez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. With a ScD in Nutrition and Epidemiology from Harvard School of Public Health and a background in Human Genetics from the University of Costa Rica, Dr. Ruiz-Narvaez has established himself as a leading researcher in the genetic epidemiology of complex diseases.

Dr. Ruiz-Narvaez's research focuses on the interplay between genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors in relation to complex diseases and phenotypes. His work has particularly emphasized the identification of genetic risk variants for breast cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in African American women. He investigates how chronic psychosocial stress contributes to disease burden in minority populations, examining how stress affects health through epigenetic mechanisms. His international research includes work with the Costa Rica Longevity and Health Aging Study (CRELES), studying determinants of extended longevity in Costa Ricans.

His research portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on genetic architecture of disease, health disparities, and social epigenomics. Through collaborations with the Black Women's Health Study and other major research initiatives, Dr. Ruiz-Narvaez has contributed significantly to understanding the genetic basis of health outcomes in minority populations. His publications span high-impact journals in genetics, epidemiology, and nutritional sciences.

Dr. Ruiz-Narvaez has received research support through collaborations with major studies including the Black Women's Health Study, the AMBER Consortium, and the Costa Rica Longevity and Health Aging Study. His work has been instrumental in advancing understanding of genetic risk factors for chronic diseases in populations that have been historically underrepresented in genetic research.