Ruihan is a Ph.D. candidate in Dr. Kimberly O’Brien’s lab. She obtained her BA in Food System Nutrition and Health at the University of Washington-Seattle. Her MPH degree in Nutrition and Dietetics was completed at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She was also trained in the MRT-TI international lactation consultant training program during her second year of MPH. After completing the Dietetic Internship and lactation clinical practice hours, she has obtained both the RDN and IBCLC credentials. Ruihan had cell culture and mice work experiences when she worked on obesity-cancer research in Dr. Stephen Hursting's lab at UNC. Now her PhD project focuses on identifying the determinants of vitamin D kinetic differences among women of reproductive age. Her general research interests are in breastfeeding, maternal and child nutrition, and precision nutrition.

Ruihan’s PhD research focuses on identifying the determinants of vitamin D metabolism among women of reproductive age. Specifically, she works with non-pregnant individuals of different ancestries and body adiposity compositions using an innovative stable isotope approach, state-of-the-art UHPLC–MS/MS methodology, and mathematical modeling. She aims to uncover both modifiable and non-modifiable factors that influence vitamin D metabolism in women. In the long term, her goal is to advance understanding of vitamin D kinetics and support the development of personalized strategies for lifelong health and wellness.

1. Barad, A., Xu, Y., Bender, E., Kang, W., Xu, R., Gu, Z., Pressman, E. K., & O’Brien, K. O. (2025). Characterization of iron status biomarkers and hematological indices among young adults of East Asian or Northern European ancestry: A cross-sectional analysis from the Iron Genes in East Asian and Northern European Adults Study (FeGenes). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 121(2), 394–405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.10.014  2. Glenny, E. M., Ho, A. N., Kiesel, V. A., Chen, F., Gates, C. E., Paules, E. M., Xu, R., Holt, C. A., Coleman, M. F., & Hursting, S. D. (2024). Tirzepatide attenuates mammary tumor progression in diet-induced obese mice. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2024.01.20.576484. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.20.576484

2023, M.P.H., Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
2021, B.A., Food System Nutrition and Health, University of Washington - Seattle