Amy Tan


Masters Student

Department of Food, Nutrition and Health

My research interests lie in the field of nutrient requirements, optimal nutrition and identifying populations at increased risk of nutrient deficiency. My project focuses on vitamin B12 in pregnant women and their newborns. Vitamin B12 is important for the healthy growth and brain development in the fetus and newborn, as well as for maternal health. The objective of the study is to identify the effect of maternal vitamin B12 status on newborn outcomes and identify predictors of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency, specifically among South Asian women who are at high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and its associated pregnancy complications.

I recently graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food, Nutrition and Health. I have had a passion for nutrition research since I worked as a research assistant assessing the nutritional adequacy of patients’ meal plans at a residential treatment centre for eating disorders. My undergraduate studies have opened my eyes to the complexities of nutrition and the various areas in nutrition that have yet to be explored. I am excited to continue my studies at UBC in the Masters of Human Nutrition program and build upon my research skills and nutrition knowledge in hopes of ultimately pursuing a career in nutrition research.

Awards received: Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Award / CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship 2017; Indrajit and Manjula DESAI Prize in Human Nutrition

First Nations land acknowledegement

We acknowledge that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.


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