Obianuju Onuoha

Currently a student in KU's doctoral program in medical nutrition science, 2023-present.

Research Synopsis

Vitamin A during pregnancy is crucial for promoting fetal growth and development, enhancing immune function, vision, cell growth and differentiation, signaling, and regulation of genes. Low dietary vitamin A intake is the primary cause of deficiency. Marginal to deficient vitamin A status during pregnancy is associated with higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as congenital malformations, low birth weight, anemia, preterm birth; and infants born to women with poor status have higher risk of infections due to impaired immunity.

The National Health and Nutrition Surveys conducted between 2001-2014 shows that 15% of U.S. pregnant women have insufficient vitamin A intake even when prenatal supplements are included. Currently, there is a gap in determining whether dietary intake alone identifies women with marginal to deficient vitamin A status.

Onuoha’s research focuses on plasma retinol quantification as a biomarker for assessment of vitamin A status in a U.S. midwestern cohort of pregnant women to ascertain whether dietary vitamin A (preformed and beta-carotene) intake alone translates to status during pregnancy.

In June 2024, Onuoha received the School of Health Professions Ph.D. Research Award, granting her funding for her project.

Students, Past and Present

2025 – Present. Drennon (Kris) Leverette. Ph.D. Health Policy and Management

2024 – Present. Lucy Papas. Ph.D. Medical Nutrition Science

2022 – 2025. Nichole Cortez, Doctorate Clinical Nutrition

2023 – 2025. Siobhan Vogel, Doctorate Clinical Nutrition

2023 – 2025. Andrew Akhaphong, Doctorate Clinical Nutrition

2023 – 2024. Xiaosong Shi, Ph.D. Biostatistics and Data Science

2023 – 2024. Douglas Drenckpohl, Doctorate Clinical Nutrition

2021 – 2024. Sarah Fortin-Miller. Ph.D. Medical Nutrition Science

2021 – 2022. Alexandra Brown. Ph.D. Biostatistics and Data Science

2019 – 2022. Adrianne Griebel-Thompson. Ph.D. Medical Nutrition Science

2025 – present: Alexis Kane. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2025 – present: Josie Randall. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2025 – present: Janae Schulte. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025. Madeline Maholland, M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025. Kristen Anthamatten, M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025. Molly Holdren, M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025. Audrey Ewert, M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2023 – 2024. Lynn Meeober. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2022 – 2023. Taylor Sands. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Thesis), with honors

2022 – 2023. Emily Fravel. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2021 – 2022. Caitlyn McGrory. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Laura Wendte. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2025 – present: Amanda Paoli, M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025: Genevieve Cohen. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025. Camryn Strickler. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2024 – 2025. Allison Mitele. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2023 – 2024. Mogan Kopka. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2022 – 2023. Rachel Archer. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2022. Julia Bippert. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Mallory Longwell. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Peter Maier. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Sara Bullard. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Stephanie Swarthourt. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Macbrayer Essman. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2020 – 2021. Randah Shrouro. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)

2019 – 2020. Rachel Smith. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Thesis).

2019 – 2020. Brendel Plonka. M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition (Non-Thesis)