HATS Faculty

Dr. Yevheniia Varyvoda holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Geography and possesses expertise in research, instructional design, professional teaching, and project implementation at the intersection of food systems, public health, and climate change. Her ongoing research focuses on providing a community of practice with evidence-based information regarding the potential and limitations of nature-positive solutions, emerging technologies, and sustainable practices to address food system challenges and deteriorating health outcomes.

Dr. Varyvoda has prepared reports for development agencies, identifying emerging technologies and innovations, as well as sustainable practices to address climate-related challenges in food systems. These efforts aim to improve diet and nutrition while decreasing food loss and waste, in addition to boosting agricultural producers’ productivity and profitability. She co-authored advisory documents for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the UNECE Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment capacity building in the Central and Eastern European Countries. Her research, education, and outreach activities in both environmental and public health domains have been conducted in North America, Africa, and Europe.

Recent Publications

• Varyvoda, Y. Conference of the Parties (COP) 28 Takeaways at the Intersection of Health, Climate, and Food, Nutrition Reviews, 2024;, nuae083, https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae083
• Varyvoda, Y.; Foerster, T.A.; Mikkola, J.; Mars, M.M. Promising Nature-Based Solutions to Support Climate Adaptation of Arizona’s Local Food Entrepreneurs and Optimize One Health. Sustainability 2024, 16, 3176. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083176
• Varyvoda, Y., & Taren, D. (2023). COP 27 insights to increase food-systems climate adaptation and resilience. Nutrition Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad035
• Varyvoda, Y., & Taren, D. (2022). Considering ecosystem services in food system resilience. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3652. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063652
• Varyvoda, Y., Akseer, N., Sadkoviy, V., Carmona, R., Muramoto, M., Wazny, K., San Martin, T., & Taren, D. (2022). Public Health in Practice, 4, 100296. Ukraine’s most vulnerable need healthcare: priorities during the armed conflict. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100296

Courses Taught

• The World’s Food and Health HPS 416/516
• Food in 2050 and beyond: Climate Change and Global Health CPH/GHI 432/532
• Food System Preparedness for the Global Emergency Risks CPH/GHI 481/581 

Research Interest

• Food Systems
• Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
• Nature-Based Solutions and Public Health
• Sustainable Healthy Diets
• Future of Food Security and Nutrition 

Research Synopsis

Dr. Varyvoda’s research interest is dedicated to exploring and promoting nature-positive solutions that are sensitive to local conditions to provide food security and nutrition for all in such a way that human, animal, and environmental health are not compromised. Dr. Varyvoda’s long-term goals are to design adaptation strategies that can guide policymakers, food system actors, and community leaders to formulate actionable solutions addressing climate-induced risks and closing the implementation gap in food and nutritional security.