Kerver Research Group

The Kerver Research Group studies how nutrition, environmental and behavioral exposures, and social and community conditions during pregnancy and early life influence maternal and child health. Our work combines population-based epidemiology with community-engaged research and the development and evaluation of interventions designed to improve health and reduce disparities.

A major focus of our research is the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. We lead a large, multi-institutional Michigan ECHO study following families from pregnancy through childhood and collaborate with investigators across the national ECHO Cohort to understand how early-life exposures influence child health and development.

Our community-based research is centered at the MSU College of Human Medicine’s Traverse City campus and focuses particularly on rural and underserved populations. Current and recent projects include Food as Medicine and fruit and vegetable prescription programs, maternal and child nutrition interventions, obesity prevention, food insecurity and food access, breastfeeding support, and community approaches to improving maternal and child health. We partner with healthcare, public health, food-system, and community organizations to develop and evaluate interventions that can be implemented in real-world settings.

Learn more about Dr. Jean Kerver.

Kerver Research Group

Alexa Drew, Research Project Director

Janel Gryc, Research Coordinator, Traverse City

Tamara Afroj

Avery Armstrong

Rohitha Hoffman