Grace S. Marquis

Biography

Grace S. Marquis is Associate Professor at McGill University and Associate Professor/Collaborator at Iowa State University. Her research career began in Peru at the Instituto de Investigación Nutricional. In 1999, her research group started working in Ghana. These long-term collaborations continue today. The work in Ghana is primarily through the Nutrition Research and Training Centre, a permanent research site which she built in the Eastern Region in collaboration with faculty at the University of Ghana (https://www.mcgill.ca/cine/research/building-capacity-sustainable-livelihoods-and-health-ghana). Her community-based research examines how many social, cultural, biological, and environmental factors interact and the mechanisms by which they alter a household’s ability to provide optimal feeding and caregiving for young children. Based on acquired knowledge, her research group develops alternative strategies that will support child health and growth and are feasible for families in poverty. Dr. Marquis is Associate Editor for Advances in Nutrition and the Chair of the Academic Board for the international collaborative initiative, e-Nutrition Academy, to support online nutrition learning in higher education globally. She was the Canadian Research Chair in Social and Environmental Aspects of Nutrition from 2006-2016. She received a Doctorate of Laws, honoris causa, for contribution to tertiary education from the University of Ghana in 2013.

Research Interest

Our research activities focus mainly on improving young children’s nutrition in poor rural communities. This often includes putting into place activities that help families (1) increase their understanding of child nutrition and health, (2) earn more money that can be used to purchase food by improving their agricultural practices or businesses, and (3) improve their environment so that children are less sick. We also work to help improve communities support of women.