Kyly C Whitfield, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Applied Human Nutrition

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!


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Sophie Fitzpatrick, BSc student volunteer

Sophie completed her Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Dalhousie University in Halifax. She is now enrolled in the Applied Human Nutrition undergraduate program at the Mount and hopes to become a registered dietitian in the future. Sophie has an interest in early childhood nutrition and the connection between psychology and nutrition in early life. Sophie is currently working on a literature review exploring the impact of postpartum depression on later feeding styles.

Sophie enjoys travelling and spent a semester abroad in Norway during her undergraduate degree at Dalhousie. She also loves reading memoirs and painting in her free time.


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.


MAMA Lab, Spring 2023

MAMA Lab, Summer 2021

MAMA Lab, Summer 2021

MAMA Lab, Fall 2019

MAMA Lab, Fall 2019


MAMA Lab Alumna