Maria Gombi-Vaca

Assistant Research Professor

Maria Gombi-Vaca is an Assistant Research Professor contributing to research on food insecurity, community-based nutrition interventions and diet-related disparities, working with Dr. Caitlin Caspi and Dr. Marlene Schwartz.

She completed her Public Health Doctoral at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, and earned a MPH from Rio de Janeiro State University. Her most recent work has focused on evaluating the effects of ultra-processed food on dietary outcomes through the analysis of nationwide dietary survey data. She has conducted and collaborated on nutritional epidemiological studies of the Brazilian population, investigating food environment and behavioral factors that influence food choices.

Through her research, she aspires to promote healthier eating practices and health equity.