Nevin S. Scrimshaw

President
International Nutrition Foundation

Dr. Nevin Scrimshaw received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1941, M.D. from the University of Rochester in 1945, and MPH from Harvard University in 1959.

Being true to himself and his mission, Dr. Scrimshaw has dedicated his career of almost seven decades towards the alleviation of hunger and malnutrition. He is a clinical and public health nutritionist who founded the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) and served for many years as head of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is now an Institute Professor Emeritus.

In 1975, he organized the World Hunger Programme for the United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo, and directed its food and nutrition activities until December 31, 1997. In 1991 he was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize for his work to create sustainable low cost and nutritious foods for the complementary feeding of infants and young children in underprivileged populations.

Dr. Scrimshaw founded the International Nutrition Foundation in 1982 because he felt there was a critical need for researchers and nutrition professionals in developing countries to access and implement state-of-the-art nutrition research. He believes that all researchers should have the opportunity to share scientific views and insights that accurately reflect the cultural, social and economic influences in developing countries. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Scrimshaw leads the INF in fulfilling this mission by mobilizing support for training, research, communication and policy related to public health and nutrition in developing countries for the past 25+ years.

Dr. Scrimshaw is also the Senior Advisor for the UNU Food and Nutrition Programme. His current interests relate to the functional consequences of iron deficiency, the effects of chronic energy deficiency on developing country populations, rapid assessment procedures for the evaluation and improvement of programs of nutrition and primary health, and nutrition and health issues associated with demographic transition in developing countries.

Prof. Scrimshaw is the author of over 650 publications and an author or editor of more than 20 books.