Muzi Na

Muzi Na is an Associate Professor and the Broadhurst Career Development Professor for the Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2019-2022) at the Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University. Her research focuses on health disparities, particularly through social and behavioral determinants such as food insecurity, dietary behavior, and psychosocial exposures, with a strong emphasis on maternal and child nutrition, mental wellbeing, and sleep health.

• Education:
  • PhD in Human Nutrition, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • MHS in Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Her work spans global and domestic contexts, including projects on food insecurity in rural low-income populations, dietary risk factors for restless leg syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy, and gender dynamics in nutrition in Niger and Mozambique. Her research integrates epidemiological methods with public health interventions to address modifiable factors contributing to health disparities.

Recent publications highlight her expertise in linking food insecurity to mental health during the pandemic, dietary impacts on sleep disorders, and maternal nutrition. She serves as Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI on NIH, FAO, USAID, and UNICEF-funded projects, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Broadhurst Career Development Professor for the Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, 2019-2022

Dr. Na’s lab investigates environmental and behavioral influences on health outcomes, with a focus on vulnerable populations. She is actively involved in mentoring graduate students and securing grants to study nutrition’s role in mental and sleep health.