Yolanda Michelle Adwoa, a current Ph.D. Candidate in Health Psychology, specializing in women, maternal, child, and adolescent health and food/nutritional 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 then. In addition, addressing critical issues such as the loss of rice-growing knowledge, Suriname’s economic development, women’s health and psychological well-being, and neighboring countries dealing similarly with poverty, nutrition, and food.
Yolanda is working towards completing her Ph.D. dissertation titled Nourishing Black Motherhood, a quantitative exploration of how food attitudes, behaviors, and socio-ecological factors impact the BMI levels and psychological well-being of black mothers and children. 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. 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 include health psychology, food and nutritional psychology, environmental psychology, cognitive and neuroscience, and social and personality psychology.
Yolanda is not just a dedicated researcher, but also a person who values a balanced lifestyle. When she’s not immersed in her research, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include reading, exploring nature on her walks, kayaking, dancing, listening to music, playing the African drums, and cooking home-made plant-based vegetarian ethnic and Mediterranean healthy meals.