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Overview


Ph.D. Candidate in Evolutionary Anthropology (Pontzer Lab)
Graduate Certificate Student at Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI)
Duke Scholar in Molecular Medicine (Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Disease track) at Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Research focus: pregnancy energetics, physical activity, and metabolic health

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Recent Publications


Chronic Stress and Severe Water Insecurity During the Historic 2022 Drought in Northern Kenya Were Associated With Inflammation Among Daasanach Seminomadic Pastoralists.

Journal Article American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · February 2025 ObjectiveExtreme climatic events, like droughts, are increasing in frequency and severity. Droughts disrupt community livelihoods and resources with serious implications for human biology. This study investigated how chronic stress, measured by fi ... Full text Cite

Physical Activity and Pregnancy Norms Among Daasanach Semi-Nomadic Pastoralist Women in Northern Kenya.

Journal Article American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · January 2025 ObjectivesIn subsistence populations, high physical activity is typically maintained throughout pregnancy. Market integration shifts activity patterns to resemble industrialized populations, with more time allocated to sedentary behavior. Daasanac ... Full text Cite

Physical activity and heat stress shape water needs in pregnant endurance athletes.

Journal Article Evolution, medicine, and public health · January 2025 Background and objectivesPregnancy, heat stress, and physical activity (PA) are all known to independently increase human water requirements. We hypothesize that climate conditions and behavioral strategies interact to shape water needs in highly ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Doctoral Dissertation Research: Maternal energetic strategies during human pregnancy

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPI-Fellow · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2025

Maternal Energetic Strategies During Pregnancy

ResearchPI-Fellow · Awarded by Wenner-Gren Foundation · 2024 - 2025

Maternal energetic strategies during human pregnancy

ResearchPI-Fellow · Awarded by L.S.B. Leakey Foundation · 2023 - 2025

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