Kyly C Whitfield, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Applied Human Nutrition

(On sabbatical leave until July 2025)

Dr. Whitfield leads the MAMA Lab. She is passionate about nutrition in the first 1,000 days, from conception to two years, and her research program aims to explore both the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of feeding during this time. Her research program includes projects around the globe, including in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bangladesh, and in Nova Scotia, Canada. Learn more at Home/About. Kyly earned her PhD in Human Nutrition at the University of British Columbia, and joined the Mount in July 2016. She was the inaugural recipient (2019) of the Mount Saint Vincent University Early Career Research Award and the 2020 winner of the CIHR INMD – CNS New Investigator Partnership Prize.
Kyly loves babies (especially her new baby boy, and niece and four nephews), and is happiest when she’s travelling and tasting new foods around Canada and the globe!

Devora Goldberg, MSc AHN Student

Devora obtained her Bachelors degree in Human Nutrition at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador in Quito. There, she investigated the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant women at a healthcare facility. After graduation she worked on research within the pharmaceutical industry and complemented her career with a Masters in Business Administration at the Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico. Devora is interested in continuing to investigate iron deficiency in pregnant women, this time in Nova Scotia, and to expand her career in the research field in a developed country.  

Devora loves to explore new cultures and destinations. She also enjoys cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Jessica O'Flaherty, MSc AHN Student

Jessica recently began her studies at the Mount pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition after graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition. Moving to Halifax from Toronto, Jessica is excited to be working in the MAMA Lab with an amazing group of female researchers. What drew her to the MAMA Lab was her passion for both maternal and infant nutrition, and past research experience examining the health benefits of probiotic yogurt consumption in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Jessica wishes to continue examining maternal and infant nutrition with a focus on global health equity in hopes of becoming a Registered Dietitian practicing both in Canada and internationally.

Emma Manzie, Volunteer & BSc Dietetics Student

Emma has attended the Mount since 2022 and is completing her final year of a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition with a major in Dietetics. Emma is excited to volunteer with the MAMA lab, and learn from and collaborate with an inspiring group of female researchers, given her passion for infant and maternal health research. Emma wishes to continue exploring infant nutrition and public health initiatives that address it, with the future goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.