Ruthfirst E. A. Ayande, PhD, MSc, RD
About
Titles
Postdoctoral Associate
Biography
Ruthfirst holds a PhD (Public Health) from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she also completed a graduate certificate in feminist studies. She gained an MSc in Dietetics and a BSc in Nutrition and Food Science (combined major) from the University of Ghana, and a Certificate in Nutritional Epidemiology from the German Institute of Human Nutrition (Dife). Ruthfirst conducts interdisciplinary research in maternal and child health. Her research focuses on nutrition interventions to help improve maternal health and health literacy, neonatal outcomes, infant and young child feeding practices, as well as examining structural, economic and sociocultural determinants of health. She is a Registered Dietitian with expertise in both community nutrition and nutrition support therapy in the acute care setting. She continues to work clinically in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Non Degree Program
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Feminist Studies (Certificate) (2024)
- PhD
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst , Public Health (2023)
- Dietetic Intern
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (2022)
- Dietetic Intern
- Greater Accra Regional (formerly Ridge) Hospital (2016)
- MSc
- University of Ghana, Dietetics (2015)
- Non Degree Program
- German Institute of Human Nutrition (Dife), Nutritional Epidemiology (Certificate) (2014)
- BSc
- University of Ghana, Nutrition and Food Science (2010)
Board Certifications
Dietitian Registered
- Certification Organization
- Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Original Certification Date
- 2023
Research
Publications
2025
A two-day professional development workshop on advanced nutrition support increased Ghanaian nutrition and dietetic professionals’ self-efficacy and practical knowledge of enteral and parenteral nutrition support
Ayande REA., Agordoh P. D, Salino V. J., Webster-Ariyan C., Collier L., Asante M., Carbone E. T. (in press). A Two-Day Professional Development Workshop on Advanced Nutrition Support Increased Ghanaian Nutrition and Dietetic Professional’s Self-Efficacy and Practical Knowledge of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Understanding the Weave, Undoing the Seams
Osorio, E. E., Gole, S., Sendroff, L., Luce, J., Ayande, R. E. A., Steinhilber, S., & Cooper, T. (2023). Understanding the Weave, Undoing the Seams. The Massachusetts Review, 64(4), 146–165. https://doi.org/10.1353/mar.2023.a914912Commentaries, Editorials and LettersKnowledge, attitudes, and practices of registered dietitians and nutritionists regarding enteral and parenteral nutrition support in Ghana: a needs assessment study.
Ayande REA, Agordoh PD, Salino VJ, Webster-Ariyan C, Collier L, Asante M, Carbone ET. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of registered dietitians and nutritionists regarding enteral and parenteral nutrition support in Ghana: a needs assessment study. Front Nutr 2023, 10: 1197610. PMID: 37457974, DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1197610.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Two African immigrant graduate students reflect on food access, food (in)security, and community during the pandemic.
Ayande, REA. & Chilufya, J. (2021). Two African immigrant graduate students reflect on food access, food (in)security, and community during the pandemic. Food and Foodways, 29(4), 391–402. https://doi.org/10.1080/07409710.2021.1984531Commentaries, Editorials and Letters
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News
Get In Touch
Contacts
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Yale School of Medicine Dept of Pediatrics, 333 Cedar St.
New Haven, CT 06520-8064
United States