Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Sheila Isanaka conducts large-scale epidemiological studies in complex settings, using both observational and randomized designs, to inform practice and policy in global nutrition. Her research is intentionally developed with and for practitioners and policy makers and aims to bring the best in study design and data analysis to challenging settings. This approach delivers the most solid scientific evidence possible to the most appropriate audience and assures that findings can be translated to shape programs, policy, and research.

Since 2007, Sheila's work has focused on the study of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), informing practice around diagnosis, estimation, treatment and prevention. Over 52 million children worldwide suffer from acute malnutrition, with 875,000 deaths in children < 5 years annually attributable to this condition. Her work also spreads more widely across disciplines to explore the interaction between malnutrition and infectious disease and the role of maternal nutrition in child health and development.