Peer-Reviewed Publications

 The BU Global Nutrition Lab team has deep research experience in nutrition clinical trials and biomedical research, as well as program implementation and evaluation. Over the last two decades, we have worked in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and published the following peer-reviewed articles from ongoing collaborations:

India

  • Dhurde, V.S., Patel, A.B., Locks, L.M., Hibberd, P.L. Anemia prevalence, its determinants and profile of micronutrient status among rural adolescent girls aged 14-19 years of Nagpur district, Maharashtra. Public Health Nutrition, 2024.
  • Lauer, J.M., Patel, A., Bhaise, S., Dhurde, V., Gugel, A*., Shah, M*., Goghari, A., Hibberd, P.L., Locks, L.M. Maternal anemia during pregnancy and infant birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study in Eastern Maharashtra, India. Current Developments in Nutrition, 2024.
  • Locks, L.M., Bhaise, S., Dhurde, V., Gugel, A*., Lauer, J.M., Shah, M*., Goghari, A., Hibberd, P.L., Patel, A. (2024). The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy and its correlates vary by trimester and hemoglobin assessment method in Eastern Maharashtra, India. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2024.
  • Buonomo, G.*, Acuña-Villaorduna, C., Poongothai, V., Dharmalingam, M., Cintron, C., Dauphinais, M., Babu, S. P., Locks, L. M., Sarkar, S., Salgame, P., Hochberg, N. S., Lakshminaryanan, S., Narasimhan, P. B., & Sinha, P. (2023). A micro-costing analysis of nutritional support for persons with TB and their families in India. Public Health Action, 13(2).
  • Carwile, M., Cintron, C., Jain, K., Buonomo, G.*, Oliver, M., Dauphinais, M., Narasimhan, P. B., Prakash Babu, S., Sarkar, S., Locks, L., Kulatilaka, N., Hochberg, N., Lakshminarayanan, S., & Sinha, P. Not business as usual: Engaging the corporate sector in India’s TB elimination efforts. Global Public Health, 2023.
  • Locks, L. M., Shah, M.*, Bhaise, S., Hibberd, P. L., & Patel, A. Assessing the Diets of Young Children and Adolescents in India: Challenges and Opportunities. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2022.
  • Sinha, P., Lakshminarayanan, S. L., Cintron, C., Narasimhan, P. B., Locks, L.M., Kulatilaka, N., Maloomian, K., Prakash Babu, S., Carwile, M. E., Liu, A. F., Horsburgh, C. R., Acuna-Villaorduna, C., Linas, B. P., & Hochberg, N. S. Nutritional Supplementation Would Be Cost-Effective for Reducing Tuberculosis Incidence and Mortality in India: The Ration Optimization to Impede Tuberculosis (ROTI-TB) Model. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2022.
  • Locks, L. M., Patel, A., Katz, E.*, Simmons, E., & Hibberd, P. Seasonal trends and maternal characteristics as predictors of maternal undernutrition and low birthweight in Eastern Maharashtra, India. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2021.
  • Cintron, C., Narasimhan, P. B., Locks, L., Babu, S., Sinha, P., Rajkumari, N., Kaipilyawar, V., Bhargava, A., Maloomian, K., Chandrasekaran, P., Verma, S., Joseph, N., Johnson, W. E., Wanke, C., Horsburgh, C. R., Ellner, J. J., Sarkar, S., Salgame, P., Lakshminarayanan, S., & Hochberg, N. S.  Tuberculosis—Learning the Impact of Nutrition (TB LION): protocol for an interventional study to decrease TB risk in household contacts. BMC Infectious Diseases, 2021.

Nepal

  • Locks, L. M., Paudyal, N., Lundsgaard, S.*, Thapa, L. B., Joshi, N., Mei, Lz. Z., Whitehead, R. D., & Jefferds, M. E. D. (2023). The Prevalence of Anemia in Children Aged 6–23 Months and its Correlates Differ by District in Kapilvastu and Achham Districts in Nepal. Current Developments in Nutrition, 7(5).
  • Locks, L. M., Dahal, P., Pokharel, R., Joshi, N., Paudyal, N., Whitehead Jr, R. D., Chitekwe, S., Mei, Z., Lamichhane, B., & Garg, A. (2019). Predictors of micronutrient powder (MNP) knowledge, coverage, and consumption during the scale‐up of an integrated infant and young child feeding (IYCF‐MNP) programme in N epal. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 15(S5), e12712.
  • Locks, L. M., Dahal, P., Pokharel, R., Joshi, N., Paudyal, N., Whitehead, R. D., Chitekwe, S., Mei, Z., Lamichhane, B., Garg, A., & Jefferds, M. E. (2019). Changes in growth, anaemia, and iron deficiency among children aged 6–23 months in two districts in Nepal that were part of the post-pilot scale-up of an integrated infant and young child feeding and micronutrient powder intervention. Maternal and Child Nutrition.
  • Moucheraud, C., Chandyo, R. K., Henjum, S., Strand, T. A., Ulak, M., Fawzi, W. W., Locks, L. M., Webb, P., & Thorne-Lyman, A. L. (2019). Engagement in Agriculture Protects Against Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in Peri-Urban Nepal. Current Developments in Nutrition.
  • Locks, L. M., Dahal, P., Pokharel, R., Joshi, N., Paudyal, N., Whitehead, R. D., Chitekwe, S., Mei, Z., Lamichhane, B., Garg, A., & Jefferds, M. E. (2018). Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices Improved in 2 Districts in Nepal during the Scale-Up of an Integrated IYCF and Micronutrient Powder Program. Current Developments in Nutrition.
  • Chandyo, R. K., Henjum, S., Ulak, M., Thorne-Lyman, A. L., Ulvik, R. J., Shrestha, P. S., Locks, L., Fawzi, W., & Strand, T. A. (2016). The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency is more common in breastfed infants than their mothers in Bhaktapur, Nepal. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70(4).
  • Locks, L. M., Pandey, P. R., Osei, A. K., Spiro, D. S., Adhikari, D. P., Haselow, N. J., Quinn, V. J., & Nielsen, J. N. (2015). Using formative research to design a context‐specific behaviour change strategy to improve infant and young child feeding practices and nutrition in Nepal. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 11(4), 882–896.
  • Henjum, S., Manger, M., Skeie, E., Ulak, M., Thorne-Lyman, A. L., Chandyo, R., Shrestha, P. S., Locks, L., Ulvik, R. J., Fawzi, W. W., & Strand, T. A. (2014). Iron deficiency is uncommon among lactating women in urban Nepal, despite a high risk of inadequate dietary iron intake. British Journal of Nutrition.

Tanzania:

  • Kirby, MA., Lauer, JM., Muhihi, A., Ulenga, N., Aboud, S., Liu, E et al. Biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction and adverse birth outcomes: An observational study among pregnant women living with HIV in Tanzania. eBioMedicine, 2022.
  • JM Lauer, MA Kirby, A Muhihi, N Ulenga, S Aboud, E Liu, RKM Choy, Assessing environmental enteric dysfunction via multiplex assay and its relation to growth and development among HIV-exposed uninfected Tanzanian infants. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 17 (3), e0011181
  • E Liu, KP Manji, MA Kirby, R Kisenge, JM Lauer, WW Fawzi, CR Sudfeld, …
  • Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Metabolomic Profiles in Tanzanian Infants: A Randomized Trial. The Journal of Nutrition 154 (2), 403-411
  • JM Lauer, MA Kirby, A Muhihi, N Ulenga, S Aboud, E Liu, RKM Choy, …
  • Effects of Vitamin D-3 Supplementation During Pregnancy and Lactation on Maternal and Infant Biomarkers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction, Systemic Inflammation, and Growth. The Journal of Nutrition 154 (11), 3400-3406.
  • Kisenge, RR, Rees, CA, Lauer, JM., Liu, E., Fawzi, WW., Manji, KP, Duggan, CP. Risk factors for mortality among Tanzanian infants and children. Tropical Medicine and Health (2020) 48:43
  • Blakstad, M. M., Smith, E. R., Etheredge, A., Locks, L. M., McDonald, C. M., Kupka, R., Kisenge, R., Aboud, S., Bellinger, D., Sudfeld, C. R., Fawzi, W. W., Manji, K., & Duggan, C. P. (2019). Nutritional, Socioeconomic, and Delivery Characteristics Are Associated with Neurodevelopment in Tanzanian Children. Journal of Pediatrics.
  • Syed, S., Manji, K. P., McDonald, C. M., Kisenge, R., Aboud, S., Sudfeld, C., Locks, L., Liu, E., Fawzi, W. W., & Duggan, C. P. (2018). Biomarkers of systemic inflammation and growth in early infancy are associated with stunting in young Tanzanian children. Nutrients.
  • Smith, E. R., Locks, L. M., Manji, K. P., McDonald, C. M., Kupka, R., Kisenge, R., Aboud, S., Fawzi, W. W., & Duggan, C. P. (2017). Delayed Breastfeeding Initiation Is Associated with Infant Morbidity. Journal of Pediatrics.
  • Locks, L. M., Manji, K. P., Kupka, R., Liu, E., Kisenge, R., McDonald, C. M., Aboud, S., Wang, M., Fawzi, W. W., & Duggan, C. P. (2017). High Burden of Morbidity and Mortality but Not Growth Failure in Infants Exposed to but Uninfected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Tanzania. Journal of Pediatrics.
  • Locks, L. M., Manji, K. P., McDonald, C. M., Kupka, R., Kisenge, R., Aboud, S., Wang, M., Bellinger, D. C., Fawzi, W. W., & Duggan, C. P. (2017). The effect of daily zinc and/or multivitamin supplements on early childhood development in Tanzania: results from a randomized controlled trial. Maternal and Child Nutrition.
  • Locks, L. M., Mwiru, R. S., Mtisi, E., Manji, K. P., McDonald, C. M., Liu, E., Kupka, R., Kisenge, R., Aboud, S., Gosselin, K., Gillman, M., Gewirtz, A. T., Fawzi, W. W., & Duggan, C. P. (2017). Infant Nutritional Status and Markers of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction are Associated with Midchildhood Anthropometry and Blood Pressure in Tanzania. Journal of Pediatrics.
  • Locks, L. M., Manji, K. P., McDonald, C. M., Kupka, R., Kisenge, R., Aboud, S., Wang, M., Fawzi, W. W., & Duggan, C. P. (2016). Effect of zinc and multivitamin supplementation on the growth of Tanzanian children aged 6-84 wk: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Uganda

  • JM Lauer, CP Duggan, LM Ausman, JK Griffiths, P Webb, JS Wang… Ghosh, S. Maternal aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes in Uganda. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2018.
  • J Bater, JM Lauer, S Ghosh, P Webb, E Agaba, B Bashaasha, … Duggan, CP. Predictors of low birth weight and preterm birth in rural Uganda: Findings from a birth cohort study. PloS One, 2020.
  • JM Lauer, S Ghosh, LM Ausman, P Webb, B Bashaasha, E Agaba, … Duggan, CP. Markers of environmental enteric dysfunction are associated with poor growth and iron status in rural Ugandan infants. The Journal of Nutrition, 2020.
  • JM Lauer, CP Duggan, LM Ausman, JK Griffiths, P Webb, B Bashaasha, … Unsafe drinking water is associated with environmental enteric dysfunction and poor growth outcomes in young children in rural southwestern Uganda. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 99 (6), 1606
  • JM Lauer, CP Duggan, LM Ausman, JK Griffiths, P Webb, E Agaba, … Biomarkers of maternal environmental enteric dysfunction are associated with shorter gestation and reduced length in newborn infants in Uganda. The American journal of clinical nutrition 108 (4), 889-896
  • JM Lauer, BK Natamba, S Ghosh, P Webb, JS Wang, JK Griffiths. Aflatoxin exposure in pregnant women of mixed status of human immunodeficiency virus infection and rate of gestational weight gain: A Ugandan cohort study. Tropical Medicine & International Health 25 (9), 1145-1154

Zambia:

  • Locks, L.M., Chembe, M., Bilima-Mulenga, T., Lauer, J.M., Sizakawe, D., Henderson, S., Rockers, P.C., Parkerson, D., Fink, G. Predictors of stunting and pathway analysis for linear growth among children 2-3 years of age after a trial of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements and home-installed growth charts in three districts in Zambia. Journal of Nutrition, 2025.
  • Lauer, J.M., Pyykkö, J., Chembe, M., Bilima-Mulenga, T., Sizakawe, D., Chibwe, D., Henderson, S., Parkerson, D., Leppänen, J.M., Fink, G., Locks, L.M.**, Rockers, P.C.** Markers of environmental enteric dysfunction are associated with poor growth and developmental outcomes among young children in Lusaka, Zambia. Journal of Pediatrics, 2024.
  • Fink, G., Locks, L. M., Lauer, J.M., Chembe, M., Henderson, S., Sikazwe, D., Bilima-Mulenga, T., Parkerson, D., & Rockers, P. (2024). The Impact of Growth Charts and Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutritional Supplements (SQ-LNS) on Child Growth in Zambia: A Four Arm Parallel Open Label Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. BMJ Global Health, 2024.

Other African Contexts:

  • Locks, L. M., Newell, K.* B., Imohe, A., Moloney, G. M., Shaker-Berbari, L., Paudyal, N., & Jefferds, M. E. D. (2023). The effect of interventions distributing home fortification products on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices: A systematic narrative review. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2023.
  • Addo, O. Y., Locks, L. M., Jefferds, M. E., Nanama, S., Albert, B., Sandalinas, F., Nanema, A., Whitehead Jr, R. D., Mei, Z., & Clayton, H. B. Combined infant and young child feeding with small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplementation is associated with a reduction in anemia but no changes in anthropometric status of young children from Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2020.
  • Yam, D., Aluisio, A. R., Perera, S. M., Peters, J. L., Cho, D. K., Kennedy, S. B., Massaquoi, M., Sahr, F., Smit, M. A., & Locks, L. Association between multivitamin supplementation and mortality among patients with Ebola virus disease: An international multisite cohort study. African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2020.
  • Addo, O. Y., Tripp, K., Nanama, S., Albert, B., Sandalinas, F., Nanema, A., Jefferds, M. E., Clayton, H. B., Whitehead Jr, R. D., Garg, A., Kupka, R, Locks, L.M.  An Integrated Infant and Young Child Feeding and Small-Quantity Lipid-based Nutrient Supplementation Program Is Associated with Improved Gross Motor and Communication Scores of Children 6-18 Months in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2020
  • Aluisio, A. R., Perera, S. M., Yam, D., Garbern, S., Peters, J. L., Abel, L., Cho, D. K., Kennedy, S. B., Massaquoi, M., Sahr, F., Brinkmann, S. Locks, L., Liu, T, Levine, AC. Vitamin A supplementation was associated with reduced mortality in patients with Ebola virus disease during the West African outbreak. The Journal of Nutrition, 2019.
  • Locks, L. M., Nanama, S., Addo, O. Y., Albert, B., Sandalinas, F., Nanema, A., Whitehead, R. D., Garg, A., Kupka, R., Jefferds, M. E., & Tripp, K.  An integrated infant and young child feeding and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplementation programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo is associated with improvements in breastfeeding and handwashing behaviours but not dietary diversity. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2019.
  • Locks, L. M., Reerink, I., Brown, A. T., Gnegne, S., Ramalanjaona, N., Nanama, S., Duggan, C. P., & Garg, A. The impact of integrated infant and young child feeding and micronutrient powder intervention on feeding practices and anemia in children aged 6–23 months in Madagascar. Nutrients, 2017.

Global research, systematic reviews & meta-analyses

  • Sinha, P., Bhargava, M., Carwile, M.E., Dauphinais, M.R., Tisile, P., Cintron, C., Lenart, A., Hauser, J., Oliver, M., Mehta, S., Finkelstein, J., Koura, K.G., Cegielski, J.P., Houben, R., Locks, LM., McQuaid, F., Bhargava, A. A Roadmap for Integrating Nutrition into Tuberculosis Therapy. Lancet Global Health, accepted for publication, 2025.
  • Locks, L.M., Parakh, A*…. The ABCDs of nutritional assessment in infectious diseases research. Accepted for publication. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2024.
  • TRB Carrilho, D Wang, JA Hutcheon, M Wang, WW Fawzi, G Kac…. Lauer, JM…. Zhonghai Zhu. The impact of excluding adverse neonatal outcomes on the creation of gestational weight gain charts among women from low-and middle-income countries with normal and overweight BMI…The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2024.
  • Locks, L. M., Newell, K.* B., Imohe, A., Moloney, G. M., Shaker-Berbari, L., Paudyal, N., & Jefferds, M. E. D. (2023). The effect of interventions distributing home fortification products on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices: A systematic narrative review. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2023.
  • Sania, A., Sudfeld, C. R., Danaei, G., Fink, G., McCoy, D. C., Zhaozhong Z., Smith Fawzi, MC…Locks, LM…Fawzi, W. Early life risk factors of motor, cognitive and language development: a pooled analysis of studies from low/middle-income countries. BMJ Open, 2019.
  • Baidal, J. A. W., Locks, L. M., Cheng, E. R., Blake-Lamb, T. L., Perkins, M. E., & Taveras, E. M. Risk factors for childhood obesity in the first 1,000 days: a systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2016.
  • Blake-Lamb, T. L., Locks, L. M., Perkins, M. E., Woo Baidal, J. A., Cheng, E. R., & Taveras, E. M.  Interventions for Childhood Obesity in the First 1,000 Days A Systematic Review. In American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2016.