Harvard Catalyst Profiles

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico	BS		Industrial Microbiology
School of Medicine, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts	MPH		Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts	MS		Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism-Specialization in Genetics
Friedman School of Nutrition, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts	PhD		Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism

Dr. Mattei is the Donald and Sue Pritzker Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She investigates the genetic, dietary, and psychosocial risk factors of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and allostatic load in racial and ethnic groups as well as underserved and minority populations, as a framework to explain health disparities. Her emphasis is on Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S. and Latin America. Her multiple projects include longitudinal cohort studies in Puerto Rico, mixed-methods projects on diet, stress, and weight stigma, collaborations with epidemiological cohorts of Hispanics/Latinos in the Unites States, and culturally-tailored dietary interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes and heart disease in Boston and Puerto Rico. Her work extends to several Latin American countries through collaborative partnerships. Dr. Mattei promotes evidence-based policy and programs for chronic disease prevention in Puerto Rico and US-Latino communities. Her ultimate goal is to help Latinos and other ethnic and minority populations eat healthy and be healthy.

Dr. Mattei’s productive body of work was recognized in 2016 with a Mark Bieber Award for Outstanding Nutrition-related Research by the American Heart Association, of which she is recognized as a Fellow (FAHA), and the 2019 Paul Sorlie Early Career Investigator Award from HCHS/SOL. Dr. Mattei is deeply involved in mentoring students and postdocs, and in enhancing the graduate learning and research experience. Dr. Mattei works diligently towards the inclusion and advancement of under-represented groups in epidemiological and community studies, of minority students in public health education, and of women and minorities in science and academia.