Lesya Marushka

Affiliation

PhD Student
Biology Specialization Chemical and Environmental Toxicology
Email: lmaru073@uottawa.ca

Research interests

Human health and environmental contaminants
Epidemiology
Nutrition
Food security
Statistical modelling

Bio

I have a medical degree from Uzhgorod State University, Ukraine and a Masters degree in nutrition from the Université de Montréal. Currently, I am in a PhD program which allows me to apply my background in medicine and nutrition to study the link between human health and environmental contaminants. Working with Dr. Laurie Chan, my research focuses on exposure to persistent organic pollutants through traditional foods and type 2 diabetes among First Nations in Canada. I am also investigating other risk factors that may lead to high rates of diabetes in First Nations communities.

Research project

  • Association of fish consumption, dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants and omega-3 fatty acids with type 2 diabetes among First Nations in Canada
  • Dietary patterns and their role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in First Nations communities
  • Nutritional and cultural benefits of salmon consumption in British Columbia First Nations
  • Impact of climate-related decline in seafood harvest on nutritional health of coastal First Nations
  • Household food insecurity and traditional food availability in First Nation communities

Publications

Marushka L, Batal M, David W, Schwartz H, Ing A, Fediuk K, Sharp D, Black A, Tikhonov C, Chan HM. Association between fish consumption, dietary omega-3 fatty acids and persistent organic pollutants intake, and type 2 diabetes in 18 First Nations in Ontario, Canada. Environ Res. 2017;156 March:725–37. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2017.04.034.

Marushka L, Batal M, Sharp D, Schwartz H, Ing A, Fediuk K, Black A, Tikhonov C, Chan HM. Fish consumption is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes in Manitoba First Nations communities. FACETS, 2017, DOI: 10.1139/facets-2017-0023

Marushka L, Hu XF, Batal M, Sadik T, Schwartz H, Ing A, Fediuk K, Tikhonov C, Chan HM. Persistent organic pollutants exposure from fish consumption is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes among First Nations in Canada. 2017 (Environmental Health, under review)