Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, MPH

Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, MPH is Professor of Epidemiology, Associate Dean for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Senior Advisor to the Center for Public Health Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a practicing registered dietician. Dr. Kumanyika has deep experience in identifying strategies for obesity prevention and control, including eating behavior change, physical activity promotion, and weight reduction. She has had a strong focus on reducing disparities in obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases (including cardiovascular disease)—especially among African American populations and women—examining environmental and cultural influences and their implications for designing effective interventions. She has additional expertise in minority population advancement, poverty issues, and older populations, and has solid methods credentials. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine and served as Vice-Chair of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on the Healthy People 2020 Objectives.