Dr. Gina Kennedy is Director of Research, Translation and Impact at the PTFI and Principal Scientist at the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT. Gina leads the development and implementation of PTFI’s research and translation strategy and works closely with PTFI Centers of Excellence and other research partners to implement, translate and disseminate research findings that advance scientific understanding and use of food composition data. Gina is passionate about food biodiversity and the role that food biodiversity can play in creating healthier food systems that nurture both people and the planet. She has a deep understanding of food-based indicators to measure diet quality and diet diversity and has worked on projects connecting diet diversity, biodiversity and food systems. Prior to her current position, Gina has worked for the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Bioversity International, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Public Health Service of Guinea and the Tungaru Central Hospital in Kiribati. During her career, she has lived for extended periods in Kiribati, Guinea and Italy and is now based in the United States. Her areas of interest include diet quality, food biodiversity, diet diversity and food systems. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University, Washington DC, a Master of Public Health from University of Alabama, Birmingham and a PhD in Public Health Nutrition from Wageningen University, Netherlands.
Gina Kennedy
