Enlighten, Inspire, Engage: FFI Celebrates Nearly 20 Years of Partnership with Rollins
Read the story in Rollins Magazine.
Founded in 2002 by Glen Maberly, former chair of the Department of International Health at the Rollins School of Public Health, the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) has been partnering with Rollins students and faculty to enlighten, inspire and engage from the start.
Based out of Rollins, FFI helps countries build and strengthen food fortification programs. Food fortification, the process of adding essential nutrients to food during processing, is a proven intervention to prevent the devastating consequences of micronutrient malnutrition, which include maternal death and birth defects. At Rollins, FFI provides students and faculty with an opportunity to apply classroom learnings to make lasting public health change.
Over the span of 18 years, FFI has employed 53 graduate students (including 24 through the Rollins Earn and Learn program), supervised 21 master’s theses and 8 practica and guest lectured for six different Rollins courses. In addition, seven students have co-authored publications and five have co-presented at conferences through FFI’s research program.
Photo: Kristen Marks
Photo: Irene Pyo
The Rollins-FFI partnership continues after students leave the classroom, with 10 Rollins alumni having supported FFI’s work as employees, consultants and volunteers. Additionally, many students use the experience they gained at FFI to jumpstart their career. Jonathan Barkely, Rollins Masters of Public Health (MPH) class of 2014, noted, “The projects I completed at FFI advanced my research and analysis skills and helped me land a full-time epidemiology position after earning my MPH. While at FFI, I gained experience using large databases like RedCap, responding to data requests, performing analyses and preparing publications. These skills all contributed to my professional development and have been helpful throughout my career in public health.”
Full-time Rollins faculty members also provide FFI with technical expertise and contribute to advancements in food fortification research and program evaluation.
Rollins students and faculty are integral to FFI’s daily work and mission--to build a smarter, stronger, and healthier future through food fortification. At the same time, FFI contributes to Rollins’ mission, “impacting health and well-being through excellence in teaching, research and the application of knowledge in partnerships with domestic and global communities.” Through a shared vision, Rollins and FFI’s synergistic partnership will continue to enlighten, inspire and engage for years to come.