Laura Murray-Kolb

Courtesy Appointments

Department of Public Health

Areas of Expertise

• Micronutrient (Iron) Deficiencies
• Maternal and Child Health
• Public Health
• Cognitive Functioning
• Neurodevelopment

HHS Signature Research Area(s)

• Developmental Health and Wellness
• Healthy Lifestyles and Vital Longevity

Department of Nutrition Science Research Area(s)

• Minerals, Vitamin D and Bone Health
• Food, Ingestive Behavior and Population Nutrition

Biography

Dr. Murray-Kolb integrates her training in nutrition, child development, and cognitive psychology to study the neurophysiological and neuropsychological consequences of micronutrient deficiencies. Her work focuses primarily on iron deficiency in young mothers and their children and she conducts many of her studies in low- and middle-income countries. She has been recognized by the American Society for Nutrition for her substantial body of independent research with relevance to improving child health and her innovative work in advancing the field of global nutrition. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in global nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, micronutrient metabolism, and nutritional pathophysiology. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Nutrition and sits on multiple taskforces and working groups aimed at better understanding the effects of micronutrient deficiencies on brain development.

Education

• NIMH Postdoctoral Fellow, 2004 - 2006, Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
• PhD, 2003, Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University
• MS, 1998, Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University
• BS, 1995, Premedicine, The Pennsylvania State University

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Member, HHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Science Consortium
• Member, HHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
• Chair, Nutrition Science Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Selected Honors/Awards

• Nevin Scrimshaw Mid-Career Award in Global Nutrition, American Society for Nutrition - 2019
• Norman Kretchmer Memorial Award in Nutrition and Development, American Society for Nutrition - 2016
• Teaching Excellence Award, Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development - 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• Outstanding Nutrition Alumni Award, Penn State Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society - 2013
• The Dannon Institute’s Nutrition Leadership Institute - 2007