On September 12, 2023, BIFAD celebrated Dr. Lora Ionnotti, recipient of the 2022 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence in a Feed the Future Innovation Lab. The award recognizes outstanding research contributions to the interdependent objectives of the U.S. Government’s Global Food Security Strategy: inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth, strengthened resilience among people and systems, and a well-nourished population. The Global Innovator Award recognizes a researcher or research team whose research and outreach through the Feed the Future Innovation Labs demonstrates exemplary scientific merit, relevance to national and/or regional priorities, impact or demonstrated potential for impact, and demonstrated commitment to inclusive development and local capacity development. The BIFAD Global Innovators Award is presented to researchers at various stages of their post-student career.
Dr. Lora Iannotti, a Professor in Public Health and Founding Director of the E3 Nutrition Lab at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis is an expert in maternal and young child nutrition and nutrient deficiencies related to poverty and infectious diseases, and she serves as a Nutrition Specialist for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, led by Mississippi State University. Dr. Iannotti also serves as Director of Planetary Health and Environmental Justice in Washington University in St. Louis’ recently launched Center for the Environment. Dr. Iannotti is recognized for her research to improve nutrition for vulnerable groups through sustainable fisheries.
Watch the video below to meet award recipient Dr. Lora Iannotti.
Dr. Iannotti's involvement with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish exemplifies the transformative potential of integrating a nutritional perspective into the sustainable advancement of aquaculture and fisheries. As the principal investigator for two key activities within the Fish Innovation Lab, Dr. Iannotti spearheaded research aimed at integrating animal-source foods into healthy, sustainable diets for highly vulnerable populations globally. Her research builds on the landmark Lulun Project in Ecuador, which found that one egg per day during early childhood significantly reduced stunting and improved markers of brain development. With the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, Dr. Iannotti and her team designed a bundled intervention—social marketing for health behavior change and modified fishing traps—to address malnutrition and poverty in small-scale fishing households. The innovation successfully improved child growth while simultaneously protecting fisher livelihoods and marine ecosystem health. Dr. Ianotti’s research has informed national and global nutrition policies and programs. Congratulations, Dr. Lora Iannotti!
BIFAD thanks Professor Marie Boyd, BIFAD member and selection panel chair, and the esteemed scientists who dedicated their time and expertise to conduct rigorous, independent reviews of award nominations:
Dr. James Hansen, Senior Research Scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia Climate School at Columbia University
Jahqethea Johnson, Northern Plains Region Agricultural Statistician at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, and former National Graduate Student President, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
Dr. Laté Lawson-Lartego, Chief Innovation Officer of the Global Innovation Lab for Equality (aGILE) at Oxfam America
Dr. Abebe Shimeles, Honorary Professor at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and Senior Economic Advisor for the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa