Rockiy A
- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at University of Bridgeport

Expertise

Community-engaged research studies - CBPR

Bio

Hello everyone! My name is Dr. Rockiy G. Ayettey, a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in research, clinical trial management, and program coordination. Before joining the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), I served as Lead Research Associate at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and as Research Program Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s International Vaccine Access Center. I hold a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana), an M.Sc. in Human Nutrition, and a Doctor of Health Sciences (Clinical Track) from the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut). Throughout my career, I have led initiatives addressing healthcare access barriers, published in peer-reviewed journals, and fostered strong collaborations with diverse stakeholders. My expertise spans workflow design, data analysis, team coordination, and representation on national and local committees. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with my family. I'm excited about the opportunity to mentor young, talented and curious minds to reach the next level!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Dietary Patterns in Ghanaian Immigrants in the United States of America: Current Food Environment Compared to Previous Food Environment - A Review

A student could investigate a problem, via literature, that the dietary patterns of Ghanaian immigrants living in the U.S. have changed due to the current food environment. There has been a steady increase in the number of Ghanaian immigrants in the U.S. over the last 50 years, and Ghanaian immigrants have become an integral group of people within the U.S. population. However, the way of life, including dietary patterns of Ghanaian immigrants in the U.S., has been understudied. The literature review findings could lead to suggestions for future dietary interventions related to this specific population's unique lifestyle, health, or health-related needs.

Coding skills

Qualitative data coding (rapid analysis)

Languages I know

Ghanaian local dialects - Ga and Akan (Twi)

Teaching experience

As part of a summer school program, I taught mathematics at my former junior high school, Dafar Premier School in Tema, Ghana—an experience that allowed me to give back to my community while inspiring the next generation of learners.

Credentials

Work experience

National Institutes of Health (2024 - 2025)

Health Program Specialist (Presidential Management Fellow)

Johns Hopkins University (2024 - 2024)

Research Program Coordinator

Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center (2012 - 2024)

Lead Research Associate & Project Coordinator

Education

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

BS Bachelor of Science (2006)

Biological Science

University of Bridgeport

MS Master of Science (2011)

Human Nutrition