Our Volunteer CNEEs in Africa
Sadoc Nyaisa, B.S. Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Rachel Kavithe, B.S., MSc. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Sadoc Nyaisa, B.S. Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Sadoc Nyaisa is a Kenyan certified nutritionist dedicated to improving maternal, infant, and young child health through evidence-based nutrition programs. He is passionate about promoting nutritional epigenetics and advocating for healthier, toxin-free diets to improve birth and child health outcomes in Isiolo County. Sadoc holds a BSc
Sadoc Nyaisa is a Kenyan certified nutritionist dedicated to improving maternal, infant, and young child health through evidence-based nutrition programs. He is passionate about promoting nutritional epigenetics and advocating for healthier, toxin-free diets to improve birth and child health outcomes in Isiolo County. Sadoc holds a BSc in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and is a registered nutritionist with the Kenya Nutritionist and Dietitian Association. For volunteer CNEE services, contact Sadoc at sadocnyaisa@gmail.com
Eric Kirimi, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Rachel Kavithe, B.S., MSc. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Sadoc Nyaisa, B.S. Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics
Eric Kirimi is a Kenyan registered and licensed nutrition practitioner with over eight years of experience in both nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific programming. His work spans community health, nutrition policy implementation, and capacity building, where he has contributed to strengthening food and nutrition systems that suppor
Eric Kirimi is a Kenyan registered and licensed nutrition practitioner with over eight years of experience in both nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific programming. His work spans community health, nutrition policy implementation, and capacity building, where he has contributed to strengthening food and nutrition systems that support equitable health outcomes. As a professional deeply committed to evidence-based practice, Eric integrates his expertise to promote sustainable nutrition interventions that address public health challenges, including malnutrition and diet-related diseases. In addition to his extensive field experience, Eric is a Certified Nutritional Epigenetics Educator by the Food Ingredient and Health Research Institute. His passion lies in creating consumer awareness about safely produced and nutritionally sound foods to enhance health through diet–gene expression interactions. He advocates for preventive nutrition approaches aimed at reducing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and dietary-induced non-communicable diseases. Through his work, Eric continues to champion the role of nutrition in shaping healthier, more resilient communities. For volunteer CNEE services, contact Eric at
Rachel Kavithe, B.S., MSc. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Rachel Kavithe, B.S., MSc. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Rachel Kavithe, B.S., MSc. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Rachel Kavithe is a public health Nutrition Specialist with over 18 years’ experience, in both public and private health sectors. She’s worked with Kenya’s Ministry of Health as a senior nutrition officer, with PATH as a Senior Technical Advisor for Nutrition and strategic partnerships lead in the nurturing care project, Nutrition Interna
Rachel Kavithe is a public health Nutrition Specialist with over 18 years’ experience, in both public and private health sectors. She’s worked with Kenya’s Ministry of Health as a senior nutrition officer, with PATH as a Senior Technical Advisor for Nutrition and strategic partnerships lead in the nurturing care project, Nutrition International (NI) as a Domestic Resource Mobilizer, Nutrition Coordinator with USAID Boresha Jamii project in Western Kenya and currently with Kavle consulting. Rachel has
a Bachelor of Science degree in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics from Egerton University, MSC in the same field from Kenyatta University and is currently pursuing her PhD in nutrition. She has been instrumental in promotion of High Impact Nutrition Interventions, Nutrition/HIV, Nurturing Care for Early Childhood development, strategic partnerships development. Nutrition Multisectoral engagement and policy development. For volunteer CNEE services, contact Rachel at rachelkavithe@gmail.com
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate, MPH, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate, MPH, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate, MPH, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate is a public health professional with over nine years of experience in health and nutrition program coordination, research, and community development. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Mary currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the V
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate is a public health professional with over nine years of experience in health and nutrition program coordination, research, and community development. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Mary currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor at Clarke International University, where she manages projects and grants that advance institutional and community health initiatives. Her experience spans program design, monitoring and evaluation, nutrition education, and capacity building. Passionate about the emerging field of nutrition epigenetics, she is dedicated to applying science and evidence based nutrition approaches to improve maternal and child health, strengthen community health systems, and promote sustainable well-being in Uganda. For volunteer CNEE services, contact Mary at
Gift E. Awakessien, M.Sc. Nutrition
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate, MPH, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate, MPH, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Gift E. Awakessien is a Nigerian Nutrition Educator and Clinical Nutritionist dedicated to improving dietary practices and nutrition literacy among women and children. As Founder of Ediwellness Foods, she champions evidence-based nutrition education and sustainable food systems. Gift also leads Pacing Infantile Obesity in Africa, an init
Gift E. Awakessien is a Nigerian Nutrition Educator and Clinical Nutritionist dedicated to improving dietary practices and nutrition literacy among women and children. As Founder of Ediwellness Foods, she champions evidence-based nutrition education and sustainable food systems. Gift also leads Pacing Infantile Obesity in Africa, an initiative promoting awareness on childhood obesity prevention and healthier lifestyles. For volunteer CNEE services in NIgeria, contact Gift at giftawakessien@gmail.com
Raphael Obego, B.S. Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics
Atuhairwe Mary Immaculate, MPH, B.S. Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Raphael Obego, B.S. Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics
Raphael Obego holds a BSc in Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He has served as the former vice president for Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Students Association (KENDSA). He is also the founder of Eat and Heal Dietitians, which aim to improve healthy lifestyles through dietary changes and adaptat
Raphael Obego holds a BSc in Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He has served as the former vice president for Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Students Association (KENDSA). He is also the founder of Eat and Heal Dietitians, which aim to improve healthy lifestyles through dietary changes and adaptations. He is passionate about research in food science and related topics. He currently undertook a training program with the Food, Ingredient and Health Research Institute, FIHRI. He adds, "I have always desired to have such an opportunity like what FIHRI gave me. I am so grateful to Dr. Renee and the entire team." As a fully trained educator in Nutritional Epigenetics, I have the courage and confidence to train and tutor fellow nutrition professionals and food scientists on the role food plays in gene expression. With advocacy and education, I believe conditions such as autism and ADHD will be completely reversible and manageable in our society. For volunteer CNEE services in Kenya, contact Raphael at obegoraphael358@gmail.com
Abigael Cheptoo Murei, B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Abigael Cheptoo Murei, B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Abigael Cheptoo Murei, B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Abigael Cheptoo Murei is a Nutrition Consultant and Research Professional with a B.Sc. in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Her work bridges nutrition science, public health, and food research, with over two years of experience in clinical nutrition, community interventions, and data-driven research. Abigael’s exper
Abigael Cheptoo Murei is a Nutrition Consultant and Research Professional with a B.Sc. in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Her work bridges nutrition science, public health, and food research, with over two years of experience in clinical nutrition, community interventions, and data-driven research. Abigael’s expertise includes Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition data analysis. She is passionate about exploring how dietary factors influence health outcomes and contribute to evidence-based nutrition solutions. Through her research and practice, Abigael aims to advance food innovation and preventive health strategies, supporting FIHRI’s mission to strengthen the connection between nutrition, food systems, and human health. For volunteer CNEE services in Kenya, contact Abigael at abbymchep@gmail.com
Esther Joy Naserian, B.S. Nutrition and Dietetics
Abigael Cheptoo Murei, B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Abigael Cheptoo Murei, B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Esther Joy Naserian is a Registered Clinical Nutritionist. As an advocate for Mother and child well-being, she aims to promote preventive nutrition practice and create awareness on how food ingredients impact health. Esther earned a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. She has worked in
Esther Joy Naserian is a Registered Clinical Nutritionist. As an advocate for Mother and child well-being, she aims to promote preventive nutrition practice and create awareness on how food ingredients impact health. Esther earned a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. She has worked in Kajiado County as a clinical and community nutritionist implementing nutrition interventions to improve patient health outcomes and manage malnutrition. For volunteer CNEE services in Kenya, contact Esther at enaserianjoy@gmail.com
Our Partnership Opportunities
Abigael Cheptoo Murei, B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics
Our Partnership Opportunities
We are looking to partner with a variety of organizations, universities, and businesses to provide comprehensive nutritional epigenetics education all over the world. For more information on collaboration opportunities, contact rdufault@foodingredientsafety.org
Our Global Outreach Volunteer Program
Dr. Renee J Dufault, D.H.Ed.
Recruiting Volunteer Educators!
Recruiting Volunteer Educators!
Dr. Renee J. Dufault is recognized globally as a leader in the field of nutritional epigenetics. She has helped define and promote the idea that nutrients and dietary chemicals alter gene expression with consequences for development and disease. She published the first nutritional epigenetics model linking dietary exposures to conditions such as autism and ADHD and has positioned that model as a framework used in intervention research globally. Dr. Dufault has published curriculum to teach nutritional epigenetics and to structure clinical nutrition interventions; those curricula have been tested in clinical trials with results available in peer‑reviewed medical journals that are indexed by PubMed. Dr. Dufault continues to serve as the volunteer Executive Director for the nonprofit Food Ingredient and Health Research Institute which she co-founded with collaborators in 2010. The institute studies how ultra‑processed food ingredients and heavy metals affect human health and the epigenome.
Recruiting Volunteer Educators!
Recruiting Volunteer Educators!
Recruiting Volunteer Educators!
Our families are confused about what is safe to eat. They do not understand why ultra-processed food is different than whole food. They do not understand how what they eat determines the way their genes behave. Families, parents, and children need instruction on how to eat a healthy diet. Our volunteers provide this instruction.
How to Become a FIHRI Volunteer
Recruiting Volunteer Educators!
How to Become a FIHRI Volunteer
Volunteers must demonstrate proficiency in English, biology, and nutrition, and be willing to undergo eight weeks of nutritional epigenetics training. The training is free to individuals practicing in the Global South and developing countries but involves homework, reading, and participating in weekly zoom discussions. Volunteers must have an email, mailing address, and internet access.