Mariela Contreras
Nutrition and Public Health
Mariela Contreras is a nutrition and public health expert with more than 15 years of experience working at the intersection of academic research, government advisory, and international development. She holds a PhD in Medical Science (Child Nutrition) and a solid record of contributions to scientific research, nutrition program design, and capacity strengthening in Latin America.
Her experience spans work with USAID, UNICEF, IFAD, the EU, and national universities, where she has designed and supported nutrition and food security policies, conducted research, and led training initiatives. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and served as Co-Editor in Chief of an academic journal, while also providing technical assistance to ministries, universities, and NGOs.
Mariela’s work has focused on evaluating climate-sensitive nutrition projects, advising on policy development at municipal levels, mentoring student researchers, and conducting fieldwork in rural and indigenous communities. She brings strong skills in quantitative and qualitative research, cross-sector coordination, and communication of scientific knowledge to policymakers and community actors.
She is known for her scientific integrity, collaborative approach, and commitment to sustainability and equity in nutrition strategies.
Areas of Expertise
Nutrition policy and food security strategy
Quantitative and qualitative research (SPSS, Jamovi, NutVal, WHO tools)
Public health and child nutrition
Technical assistance to government and NGOs
Academic writing and peer-reviewed publishing
Interdisciplinary collaboration in climate and health research
Capacity building for students and institutions
Monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge dissemination
Project design and local policy formulation
International cooperation in development contexts
Languages
Spanish (native)
English (fluent)
Geographic Experience
Latin America: Honduras, Nicaragua, regional projects