Maryam Kebbe is leading groundbreaking research into how maternal nutrition and physical activity relate to the composition of breast milk and infant health.
Maryam joined UNB as an assistant professor in 2023 after earning her medical doctorate at the University of Alberta and completing postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford and Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana.
“I was drawn to UNB because of its strong commitment to research and innovation, particularly in the fields of health sciences, pediatrics and nutrition. The university’s collaborative environment and state-of-the-art facilities provide an ideal setting for conducting impactful research and advancing knowledge in pediatric health.”
Maryam was awarded a 2023-24 Harrison McCain Young Scholar Award to pursue research into the interaction between breast milk and the development of the infant gut microbiome.
“Understanding how the gut microbiome evolves in early infancy can provide valuable insights into factors influencing microbial composition and their potential long-term effects on obesity and metabolic health. This research can contribute to the development of targeted interventions and strategies to modulate the microbiome for improved health outcomes.”
Maryam is continuing her research as director of UNB’s Perinatal-Pediatric Health & Developmental Studies (PEADS) Lab.
“The PEADS lab is one of the few in Canada that works with vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and infants/toddlers. Our research projects include characterizing the nutritional quality of commercial infant feeding products and the overall nutritional status of young children in Canada, investigating the effects of different types of foods and dietary patterns on the infant gut microbiome, and exploring the connections between maternal diet, fitness and mental health on breastfeeding practices and infant health. We aim to develop strategies to improve health outcomes for mothers and children.”
The Harrison McCain Young Scholar Awards provide special support to tenure or tenure-track faculty members who received their PhD less than ten years ago and whose employment at UNB does not exceed six years.
