Mojtaba Shafiee

Background

About Mojtaba Shafiee

From a young age, I have been passionate about improving the health and well-being of people. I vividly recall my grandfather's struggle with type 2 diabetes and my grandmother's battle with hypercholesterolemia and their desire to seek alternative solutions to manage their conditions. As a result, I was constantly scouring the internet and reading different books to find ways to help them. After completing a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, I was determined to further my education in the field of health research. This led me to pursue a Master's degree in "Nutrition" from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In January 2019, I began a Master's-to-PhD program in Nutrition at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan (USask), and successfully transferred to the doctoral degree program in January 2020. Since November 2020, I have been serving as Dr. Vatanparast's Nutritional Epidemiology Lab manager at the University of Saskatchewan, overseeing around 38 personnel, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates. The VNEL is dedicated to using evidence-based research to inform public health policies that enhance the well-being of Canadians. This experience has fueled my passion for conducting research projects, and I am always eager to learn more. In addition to research, I am deeply passionate about teaching and mentoring. As a Sessional Lecturer at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, I have had the opportunity to teach NUTR 350, Introduction to Public Health and Community Nutrition, to second-year undergraduate Nutrition students. Throughout my professional career, I have had the privilege of acting as a guest lecturer in seven courses at various academic institutions, including the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Idaho, and St. Francis Xavier University. From courses on public health and community nutrition to global nutrition and food and nutrition for global health equity, I have had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge with students from diverse backgrounds. As I am getting close to the end of my doctoral studies, I am looking forward to applying the knowledge and skills I have gained to address important research questions and make a meaningful impact on public health.