Dr Matilda Essandoh Laar (BSc (Ghana), MPH (Minnesota), PhD (McGill))
Academic Qualifications
1. McGill University, Canada: 2011 - 2015: PhD (Human Nutrition)
2. University of Minnesota, USA: 2007 - 2010: Master of Public Health (Public Health Nutrition)
3. University of Ghana, Ghana: 2001 - 2005: Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food Science)
Research interest
Dr Laar's research interests are in maternal and child nutrition. Specifically, her research and publications focus on the role of the food environment in the food security of mothers and children, professional nutrition education in health systems, and the nutrition of households affected by maternal HIV in rural populations. Her doctoral research focused on addressing childhood undernutrition by building the capacity of health personnel in outreach growth monitoring services in a rural district in Ghana. Dr Laar’s postdoctoral research aimed at strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of the Ghana School Feeding Program by looking at the feasibility of using the newly-developed monitoring tools to assess the nutritional quality of meals and the link of the program to local agriculture. Dr Laar’s current research seeks to promote agricultural entrepreneurship in rural youth and understand the choice of food retail outfits in poor urban areas. Her career goal is to take leadership in policy-driven research, involving integrated multidisciplinary approaches (e.g., agricultural, health, economics, education), to address the multiple burden of malnutrition in women and children of disadvantaged populations.
Current research/project(s)
1. Measuring the healthiness of Ghanaian children’s food environments to prevent obesity and non-communicable diseases-MEALS4NCDs Project. Funded by International Development Research Center –IDRC, Canada (Co-Investigator)-2019 to 2021
2. Promoting agricultural entrepreneurship among rural girls. Funded by Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program Canada - McGill University & UG (Co-investigator)-2019-2021
3. Strengthening capacities for nutrition-sensitive food systems through a multi-stakeholder approach. Funded by FAO-JICA (Co-Investigator)-2018-2020
Past research projects
1. Choice of food retail outlets and the nutritional status of consumers: The case of poor urban communities in Greater Accra. Funded by BANGA-Africa, University of Ghana (Principal Investigator)-2018 to 2019
2. Strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of the GSFP: Improved Methods, Metrics and Tools. Funded by the IMMANA Postdoctoral Fellowships, Tufts University, USA (Principal Investigator)-2016 to 2017
Awards
1. Netherland Fellowship Programme (African Nutrition Leadership Programme): 2017
2. IDRC International Research Initiative: 2011 - 2014
3. Rotary Club of Montreal International Agricultural Bursary, McGill University, 2011 - 2013
4. PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) International Peace Scholarship, USA, 2007 - 2008 & 2008 - 2009
5. Ruth Steif Assistantship, University of Minnesota, 2007 – 2008
6. Walter H. Judd Fellow, University of Minnesota, 2008
7. North West Airline Travel scholarship, 2008
Recent publications
1. Laar M. E., Marquis G. S., Lartey A., Gray-Donald K. (2018). A cluster-randomized intervention to improve the capacity of nurses and health volunteers to address childhood wasting in the Eastern region of Ghana. Science and Development - Journal of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana (submitted).
2. Laar M. E., Marquis G. S., Lartey A., Gray-Donald K. (2018). Reliability of length measurements collected by community nurses and health volunteers in rural growth monitoring and promotion services. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 118 doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-2909-0.
3. Laar, A., Manu, A., Laar, M., El-Adas, A., Amenyah, R., Atuahene, K., & Quakyi, I. (2015). Coping strategies of HIV-affected households in Ghana. BMC public health, 15(1), 166.
4. Laar, A., El-Adas, A., Amenyah, R. N., Atuahene, K., Asare, E., Tenkorang, E. Y. Laar M. E., ... & Quakyi, I. (2014). Food and nutrition assistance to HIV-infected and affected populations in Ghana: a situational analysis and stakeholder views. African Geographical Review, 34:1, 69-82, doi:10.1080/19376812.2014.964739.
5. Laar, A., Fiaveh, D., Laar, M. E., Boatemaa, S., Abugri, J. , El-Adas, A. , Amenyah, R., Atuahene, K. , Adjei, A. and Quakyi, I. (2014) Profiles of HIV-Affected Households in Ghana. Health, 6, 2004-2013. doi:10.4236/health.2014.615235.
6. Laar M. E., Laar, A. K. (2012). Infant feeding modality and health of mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus in sub-Saharan Africa – a systematic literature review. ¬- Journal of AIDS and HIV Research Vol. 4(1), pp. 1-7.
Professional membership(s)
1. Ghana Nutrition Association
2. Canadian Nutrition Society