Department of Nutritional Sciences Faculty Profiles
Dr. Katarzyna (Kasia) Kordas, PhD
Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Penn State University
125 Chandlee Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
Office Phone: 814-865-2170
Office Fax: 814-865-5870
E-mail Address: kxk48@psu.edu
Homepage: nutrition.hhdev.psu.edu/kordaslab
Courses Taught
NUTR 490W
Research Interests
My research interests focus on the independent and combined effects of micronutrient deficiencies and environmental exposures on children’s health. Nutritional deficiencies and heavy metal exposures are rarely studied together, yet environmental pollution is a growing problem globally due to increased industrial activity. My work combines the disciplines of nutrition, environmental health, and child development to understand whether children with micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of heavy metals than well-nourished children, and whether interventions that include nutritional components can safeguard children against metal toxicity.
Selected Publications
Kordas K, Siegel EH, Olney DK, Katz J, Tielsch JM, Kariger PK, Khalfan SS, LeClerq SC, Khatry SK, Stoltzfus RJ. (2007) Maternal reports of sleep in 6-18 month-old infants from Nepal and Zanzibar: association with iron deficiency anemia and stunting. Early Human Development Nov 16 [Epub ahead of print].
Kordas K, Casavantes CM, Mendoza C, Lopez P, Ronquillo D, Rosado JL, Stoltzfus RJ. (2007) The association between lead and micronutrient status, and children’s sleep, classroom behavior, and activity. Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health; 62(2): 105-12
Kordas K, Lonnerdal B, Stoltzfus RJ. (2007) Interactions between nutrition and environmental exposures: effects on health outcomes in women and children. Journal of Nutrition; 137: 2794-7.
Rosado JL, Ronquillo D, Kordas K, Rojas O, Alatorre J, Lopez P, García-Vargas G, Caamaño MC, Cebrián ME, Stoltzfus RJ. (2007) Arsnic Exposure and Cognative Performance in Mexican Schoolchildren. Environmental Health Perspectives; 115:1371-1375.
Rosado JL, López P, Kordas K, García-Vargas G, Ronquillo D, Alatorre J, Stoltzfus RJ. (2006) Iron and/or zinc supplementation did not reduce blood lead concentrations in children: results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Nutrition; 136(9): 2378-2383.
Kordas K, Canfield RL, López P, Rosado JL, García Vargas G, Alatorre Rico J, Cebrián ME, Ronquillo D, Stoltzfus RJ. (2006) Deficits in cognitive function and achievement in Mexican first-graders with low blood lead concentrations. Environmental Research; 100: 371-386.
Rico JA, Kordas K, López P, Rosado JL, García-Vargas G, Ronquillo D, Stoltzfus RJ. (2006) Efficacy of iron and/or zinc supplementation on cognitive performance of lead-exposed Mexican schoolchildren: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatrics; 117: e1-e10.