معرفی
Ruthfirst E. A. Ayande is a Research Fellow in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, specializing in maternal and child health with a focus on nutritional interventions. She holds a PhD in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is a Registered Dietitian with clinical experience in neonatal intensive care at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Her interdisciplinary research examines structural, economic, and sociocultural determinants of health, particularly in maternal and neonatal outcomes.
- Education:
- PhD, Public Health (2023), University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- MSc, Dietetics (2015), University of Ghana
- BSc, Nutrition and Food Science (2010), University of Ghana
- Certificates: Feminist Studies (2024), Nutritional Epidemiology (2014)
Research Interests: Ruthfirst’s work integrates clinical and community nutrition, addressing neonatal nutrition support, health literacy, and equity. She explores interventions to improve infant feeding practices and maternal health outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings. Her recent studies include workshops enhancing Ghanaian nutrition professionals’ skills in enteral/parenteral nutrition support and qualitative analyses of food insecurity among immigrant communities during the pandemic.
Scientific Awards:
- ASPEN 2025 Neonatal Dietitian Travel Award
- Award of Excellence (Journal of Human Lactation/ISRHML)
- SOAR Fund Award (University of Massachusetts)
Advising & Grants: While not listed as an advisor, Ruthfirst has secured grants including the SOAR Fund Award and WGSS Travel Award. She is a reviewer for journals like JAMA Pediatrics and Current Developments in Nutrition.
Labs/Teams: Co-chair of the Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Lactation QI Team and a member of the Yale Neonatal NOuRISH Team, advancing neonatal nutrition practices.
