On 1 September, 2016, Taddese Alemu Zerfu started his IMMANA project on dietary factors in maternal anemia and pregnancy outcomes in rural Ethiopia. He is the first of the Round 2 IMMANA Fellows to begin work. His research and professional interests are focused on maternal and child nutrition in the early stages of life. Publications from his previous professional experiences include: 

Zerfu, T. A., Umeta, M., & Baye, K. (2016). Dietary diversity during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of maternal anemia , preterm delivery , and low birth weight in a prospective cohort study , in rural Ethiopia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Under Review), 2011(1). http://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.116798.

Zerfu, T. A., Umeta, M., & Baye, K. (2016). Dietary habits, food taboos, and perceptions towards weight gain during pregnancy in Arsi, rural central Ethiopia: a qualitative cross-sectional study. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 35(1), 22. http://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-016-0059-8

Taddese will continue to provide updates on the progress of his research to the IMMANA team over the next year and will collaborate with other post-doctoral IMMANA Fellows through a monthly journal club. In the meantime, he can be found online in the following places: