PLANt Researcher and Consultant
Dr. Carrie Waterman
In search of smart plants with functional properties to improve health and well being, while promoting sustainable environmental practices and equitable access to all humans. Merging science, capacity building, innovation, exploration, justice, entrepreneurship, and implementation for improved livelihoods.
Powerful plants keep my interest.
Through laboratory research we’ve found bioactive compounds in plants with potent therapeutic potential support homeostasis ins the body and provide resilience against disease and distress. For example, moringa (Moringa oleifera) contains isothiocyanates; potent self-defense compounds made by the plant that confer anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities.
Through field-based engagement with small-holder farmers and sustainable businesses we are working on ways to grow and process moringa in ways that capture and harness its nutritional and health benefits. We aim to increase food security and provide economic empowerment.
Overall, we work with partners across the value chain and acoss the world to help address the UN Sustainable Development Goals with the power of plants.
My Approach
RESEARCH has focused on isolating and testing the chemical compounds in plants for biological activity. We’ve demonstrated in cell and animal models (Moringa oleifera) moringa isothiocyanates have anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. We are beginning to explore some of these effects, in additional to nutritional outcomes, in human clinical trials.
DEVELOPMENT work has involved community outreach and trainings in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Brazil, and California. Training material include best practice for cultivation, preservation and processing along with increasing usage and consumption at the household level to improve nutrition, dietary diversity,
OUTREACH includes advising small-holder farmers, medium and large-scales businesses invovled with moringa and other functional foods on product claims, current scietific research and regulatiory guidlines. I offer guest lectures, workshops, and trainings on smart crops, moringa, and more.
Experience
Institute for Global Nutrition, UC Davis & World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya
Assistant Professional Researcher
Funded by Fogarty International & CDFA to Promote & Research Moringa for Improved Health
Aug 2015–Present
Bayer Crop Science
Scientist II
Team Lead, Patient Author & Natural Products Scientist for Biologics
Aug 2014- Aug 2015
Rutgers University
NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellow
Training & Research in Botanicals to Treat Metabolic Syndrome. Patent & Grant Acquisition
Aug 2012-Aug 2014
US Fulbright Univeristy of Nairobi, Kenya
US Fulbright Scholar & Researcher
Plant Sciences Professor, Student Mentor, & Researcher on Anti-Malarial Plants
Sept 2011-July 2012
University of South Florida, Tampa FL
run over
POSTDOCtoral Scholar
Identified & isolated antimalarial compounds from soil bacteria, fungi, and marine organisms
Sept 2010-Sept 2011
Univeristy of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA
Extra Space
PhD natural products chemistry & Biology Instructor
Research & Teaching in Pharmacognosy
Aug 2005-July 2010
US Peace Corps Volunteer, The Gambia
Extra Space
Science teacher & Herbal Medicine Research
July 2002-July 2004
Plants for Health:
Moringa oleifera Expertise
Education & Awards
Univeristy of the Science in Philadelphia, Pennsulvania
Ph.D Pharmacognosy (Natural products chemistry)
2005-2010
Humboldt State University, California
B.S. Biology & Science education
1997-2001
University of CA Global Health Institute Incubator Award for Pilot Center of Expertise
Project Investigator
Hosting a virtual seminar and website to highlight and co-design global Food Justice & Health Equity projects
2021-2022
CA Dept of Food & Agriculture Specialty Crop Grant
Project Investigator
Promoting production & consumption of moringa in California for improved health
2020-2023
NIH Fogarty K01 International Research Science Development Award
Project Investigator
Research and capacity building on moringa for improved nutrition, health, agriculture, and income generation in Kenya
2015-2021
UC Davis Global Affairs Sustainable Development Goals, Seed, and Regional Faculty Grants
Project Investigator
Collaborative research, mentoring, and training in Kenya & with the African Leadership University, Rwanda
SDGs 2020-2021
Seed 2018-2020
Faculty 2017-2018
NIH Botanical Research Center Grant and Small Business Innovation Research Grants
author & COllaborator
Preclinical research on botanicals to treat metabolic syndrome
BRC 2015-2020
SBIR 2015-2016
NIH Botanical Research Center Pilot Grant
Project Investigator
In vivo moringa research to address inflammation and diabetes
2015-2016