December 1, 2025
Global WACh Certificate Student Elizabeth Momoh investigates anthropometric recovery to improve health outcomes for malnourished children
As part of the Global WACh Graduate Certificate Program’s required 90-hour capstone, Elizabeth Momoh, a 5th year PhD Candidate in the Department of Chemistry and Global WACh Graduate Certificate Student, is investigating how children’s anthropometric recovery from severe acute malnutrition aligns with the recovery of their immune system. In malnourished children, regaining physical growth and development (typically measured by weight and height) often happens faster than regaining their body’s ability to fight infectious diseases. It is critical for researchers to understand whether children who appear nutritionally recovered still have hidden immune problems that could put them at higher risk of becoming malnourished again.
A long-term study in South Sudan found that about two-thirds of children who had recovered from acute malnutrition became malnourished again within six months. Children who had been malnourished before were over six times more likely to relapse than similar children who had never been malnourished, showing that they remain vulnerable even after they appear healthy enough to leave treatment. The study also looked at the immune system and found that, compared with healthy children, previously malnourished children still had ongoing differences in their T-cells and B-cells (types of immune cells) at every point tested. This suggests their immune systems may remain affected long after they seem to have recovered.
Building on these findings, Elizabeth contributed to efforts to correlate anthropometric indicators (e.g. weight-to-height score, mid-upper arm circumference) with lymphocyte replication data to predict relapse by assessing whether children discharged from treatment as “recovered” are truly immunologically restored or if lingering deficits in immune function may increase their risk of relapse. With guidance and support from Dr. Indi Trehan (faculty in UW Pediatrics and Global Health), Elizabeth led the data analysis of immunologic data with the clinical data and relapse data, literature synthesis, and wrote introductory sections for an upcoming manuscript. She also supported the study’s clinical team with data cleaning, analysis, and management. The findings will be presented at a scientific health conference this month.
Through the capstone experience, Elizabeth gained hands-on experience in complex mixed-methods data analysis and manuscript development, strengthening her technical and scientific communication skills. Additionally, participating in study team meetings deepened her understanding of real-world data collection processes and highlighted the collaborative nature of global health research. Together, these experiences have enhanced her ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate research findings effectively.
Elizabeth is graduating in December and hopes to connect with professionals in pediatric nutrition and immunology research fields. She is particularly interested in learning from researchers at organizations focused on child health or vaccine research. We wish her the best in her future endeavors!