Dr. Zach Ferraro BKin., MSc., PhD., CSEP-CEP
Research Associate
Dr. Ferraro holds a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health, is a clinical research associate, part-time professor, science educator, and health & wellness leader. His interests include human physiology, metabolism, epidemiology, weight management, philosophy, education, pregnancy, nutrition, exercise science and molecular medicine. His advocacy work with the Canadian Obesity Network, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), The Ottawa Hospital and several other national and international health agencies have positioned him as a knowledge translation expert.
In 2006, he received a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University and specialized in physiology and metabolism. In 2007, he obtained his MSc in Human Health & Nutritional Science at the University of Guelph where he studied glycemic control in overweight/obese men. He completed his PhD at the University of Ottawa and CHEO with the Health Active Living and Obesity (HALO) Research Group. His dissertation was titled “maternal predictors and potential modifiers of fetal growth during pregnancy”.
Zach has published on topics ranging from clinical epidemiology to molecular medicine. Part of his doctoral work looked at the regulation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) axis in obesity and how this may alter nutrient transfer to the developing child.
He is a certified exercise physiologist (CSEP-CEP) and outgoing Chair of the Canadian Obesity Network’s Student and New Professional initiative. Dr. Ferraro has published over 35 peer-reviewed articles in medical/scientific journals, given over 100 public presentations, was an Ontario Graduate Scholar and University of Ottawa Deans Scholar. His dissertation was nominated for the University of Ottawa Governor General’s Gold Medal and he was the inaugural recipient of the Canadian Obesity Network’s Rising Star award.
More information can be found on his website: www.DrFerraro.ca