Yolanda Michelle Adwoa, a current Ph.D. Candidate in Health Psychology, specializing in women, maternal, child, and adolescent health psychology research, has deep roots in Ghana. Her early contributions to the Suriname project, initiated upon joining the lab, involved exploring the origins of Suriname, South American staple foods, and the African rice plant, which was under threat at that time. In addition, addressing critical issues such as the loss of rice-growing knowledge, Suriname’s economic development, women’s health & psychological well-being, and neighboring countries dealing similarly with poverty, nutrition, and food.
Yolanda is currently working towards completion of her dissertation focused on the health and psychological well-being of mothers and children of color. She holds a Master’s degree in finance focused on financial psychology and she has earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, CAP© designation and certifications in nutrition and counseling psychology.
Yolanda is experienced in both qualitative and quantitative inquiries and her research interests encompass the epigenetic and broad-based bio-psychosocial approach to understanding social determinants of psychological well-being, and overall health with a specific focus on how socioeconomics, culture, psychosocial factors, environment, social support, and food behaviors impact health outcomes and mental well-being in low-income populations and black, Indigenous, and people of color. She investigates the psychological and behavioral processes of health, physical diseases, and mental outcomes of diverse populations in various environments. Her goal is to contribute to preventing, treating, and potentially reversing chronic illnesses and disorders, reducing health inequalities, and improving health and psychological wellness in underserved populations.
Research interests: Health Psychology, Nutritional Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Cognitive & Neuroscience, as well as Social & Personality Psychology.
Yolanda also enjoys living a balanced lifestyle so when she is not researching, she enjoys spending time with family, and friends, and activities such as reading, exploring nature in her walks, kayaking, dancing, listening to music, playing the African drums, and cooking home-made plant-based vegetarian ethnic and Mediterranean healthy meals.