Addressing Global Hunger

Marianella Herrera-Cuenca MD, MSc, DSc, is a physician who graduated from medical School at Central University of Venezuela (UCV). She holds a Master and a Doctorate in Human Nutrition, from Simon Bolivar University in Caracas where she graduated with honors. She was trained in epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health and recently she completed the Harvard John F Kennedy School of Government Executive Program: Applying Behavioral Insights to the design of Public Policies. She is an Associate Professor and Researcher at Center for Development Studies at UCV and is the chair of the Department Development and Health. She is and has been the Principal Investigator for several studies related to food security, nutrition, obesity, energy balance and the double burden of malnutrition and has been able to interact with policy makers and government agents in Venezuela, Latin America, the USA and Europe regarding these topics. Her research interests are social inequities and their associations with chronic diseases and design and conceptualization of public policies for improving population lifestyle. She has been making an emphasis in food and nutrition public policies and early prevention strategies of nutrition associated diseases. Doctor Herrera has been publishing and lecturing nationally and internationally on those topics and has been quoted by international media such as Financial Times, Quartz Magazine, El Nuevo Herald, The Economist, El Tiempo de Bogota, BBC world, Al Jazeera London, Deutsche Welle and America's Quarterly among others. She was an invited professor and researcher during summer 2014 at KU Leuven in Belgium and she currently is the President of the international affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition IAAND, is a member of Fundacion Bengoa Board of Directors and the president of the Foundation associated to the Venezuelan Health Observatory. Recently, she was the recipient of the Excellence in Public health and Community Nutrition Award from the Public Health and Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic in 2017. Dr Herrera continues her research work in her native Venezuela and Latin America. Tatyana El-Kour is an exceptionally resourceful, dedicated, and knowledgeable Consultant, Policy Strategist, and Global Health & Nutrition specialist, directing leading-edge innovative solutions to complex nutritional issues, and identifying the needs of clients, patients, programs, and organizations. Delivers progressive thinking strategies in implementing programs, projects, and patients on behalf of the United Nations, governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, private practices, pharmaceutical and educational organizations. Expert leader, negotiator, and businessperson; able to transform social behaviours, and evaluate diverse populations that align with regulatory requirements. She has more than 15 years of multicultural expertise in national, regional, and global efforts related to policy, application, research, and practice intersecting public health, nutrition, behavioral change, technology, and media. She collaborated in leading the entire Syria nutrition response system, that included developing nutrition care programs, and strengthening advocacy, funding, and profile-raising efforts for this crisis, while providing essential support for the refugees. Ms. El-Kour also led technical efforts for emergency and sustainable nutrition projects in the Middle East region, and Syrian environment. Ms. El-Kour is currently completing her doctoral studies in media psychology. She holds a master's degree in media psychology from Fielding Graduate University, a master's degree in medical nutrition therapy from Tufts University, a bachelor of science in dietetics from Kansas State University, and a bachelor degree in nutrition and food technology from University of Jordan. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist and a recognized fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has received numerous awards, including the prestigious 2015 Leah Horowitz Humanitarian Award from Tufts University, the 2011 Outstanding Young Member of the Year Award for PHCNPG and the 2009 Young Professional of the Year Award from Kansas State University.