K. Ryan Wessells

K. Ryan Wessells, Ph.D., is an Associate Project Scientist in the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Their research focuses on addressing zinc deficiency in infants and young children in low-income countries, evaluating nutritional interventions, and understanding the interplay between nutrition, intestinal health, and infection. Dr. Wessells holds a B.A. in Socio-cultural Anthropology and B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biology from UC Davis.

Education:

• B.A., Socio-cultural Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, 2003
• B.S., Microbiology, University of Maryland, College Park, 2003
• Ph.D., Nutritional Biology, University of California, Davis, 2011

Research Interests:

• Zinc deficiency in vulnerable populations
• Preventive and therapeutic nutritional interventions
• Biochemical and dietary assessment of nutritional status
• Intestinal mucosal function and nutritional outcomes
• Infection-nutrition interactions

Key Research Trends: Recent work emphasizes micronutrient fortification strategies (e.g., bouillon, lipid-based supplements), population-level modeling of nutritional deficiencies, and evaluation of maternal-child health interventions. Studies often involve global collaboration in regions like Ghana, Niger, and Laos.

Advising & Grants: While specific grant details are not provided, Dr. Wessells' publications reflect involvement in large-scale trials and multi-institutional projects. No formal advisee list is available.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with global nutrition research groups, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, focusing on field-based intervention studies and biomarker assessments.