Faculty Affiliate in the Department of Global Health and Population
Global Health and Population
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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.
Isanaka S, Langendorf C, McNeal MM, Meyer N, Plikaytis B, Garba S, Sayinzoga-Makombe N, Soumana I, Guindo O, Makarimi R, Scherrer MF, Adehossi E, Ciglenecki I, Grais RF.
PLoS Med. 2021 Jul. 18(7):e1003655. PMID: 34214095
Isanaka S, Andersen CT, Cousens S, Myatt M, Briend A, Krasevec J, Hayashi C, Mayberry A, Mwirigi L, Guerrero S.
BMJ Glob Health. 2021 03. 6(3). PMID: 33653730
Madzorera I, Ghosh S, Wang M, Fawzi W, Isanaka S, Hertzmark E, Namirembe G, Bashaasha B, Agaba E, Turyashemererwa F, Webb P, Duggan C.
Matern Child Nutr. 2021 07. 17(3):e13127. PMID: 33595899
de Kok B, Moore K, Jones L, Vanslambrouck K, Toe LC, Ouédraogo M, Ganaba R, de Pee S, Bedford J, Lachat C, Kolsteren P, Isanaka S.
Matern Child Nutr. 2021 07. 17(3):e13134. PMID: 33405368
Hitchings MDT, Cummings DAT, Grais RF, Isanaka S.
Vaccine. 2020 12 03. 38(51):8161-8166. PMID: 33162202
Madzorera I, Isanaka S, Wang M, Msamanga GI, Urassa W, Hertzmark E, Duggan C, Fawzi WW.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 09 01. 112(3):695-706. PMID: 32651998
Jones L, de Kok B, Moore K, de Pee S, Bedford J, Vanslambrouck K, Toe LC, Lachat C, De Cock N, Ouédraogo M, Ganaba R, Kolsteren P, Isanaka S.
Matern Child Nutr. 2021 01. 17(1):e13067. PMID: 32757351
Isanaka S, Andersen CT, Hanson KE, Berthé F, Grais RF, Briend A.
Matern Child Nutr. 2020 10. 16(4):e12989. PMID: 32144946
Isanaka S, Grantz KH, Berthé F, Schaefer M, Adehossi E, Grais RF.
JAMA Pediatr. 2020 03 01. 174(3):295-297. PMID: 31930369
Maataoui N, Langendorf C, Berthe F, Bayjanov JR, van Schaik W, Isanaka S, Grais RF, Clermont O, Andremont A, Armand-Lefèvre L, Woerther PL.
J Antimicrob Chemother. 2020 03 01. 75(3):709-717. PMID: 31821452
For immediate release: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Boston, MA – A new study suggests that the current recommendation to treat severely malnourished children with routine antibiotics does not increase the likelihood of nutritional recovery in uncomplicated cases. Given…
For immediate release: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Boston, MA – A new study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers suggests that, for HIV patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to treat HIV, there is no…
June 14, 2012 -- Tuberculosis patients with iron levels that are either too low or too high may be at increased risk for faster disease progression or death, according to a Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) study…