Scott Ickes

Area of Specialization

Public Health & Nutritional Epidemiology

Background

Dr. Scott Ickes’s areas of interest include maternal and child nutrition; implementation science; qualitative methods; and social epidemiology. His current research focuses on social and cultural influences of poor diet and health among mothers and children in low-resource contexts, particularly focusing on East Africa. A second aim of his research is to evaluate large-scale and community-based nutrition and agricultural development programs. At William and Mary, Dr. Ickes enjoys teaching courses in public health and maternal and child health, and conducting research on these topics. He is a member of the Ignite Lab — a multidisciplinary research lab using data and science to maximize the health of people in resource-limited settings.

Courses Taught

Education

Selected Publications

• Mgongo M, Ickes SB, Leyaro, B, Mboya I, Grounds S, Seiger E, Hasim T, Conklin J, Kimane-Murage E, Martin S. 2024. Infant feeding practices among women engaged in paid work in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic scoping review. Advances in Nutrition. Mar;15(3):100179 doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100179.
• Ickes SB, Sankaine H, McKay A, Arensen K, Singa B, Kinyua J, Denno D, Walson J, Nduati R. 2023. Mother’s willingness to use lactation supports at work: evidence from commercial farm workers and other working mothers in Kenya. Current Developments in Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.102032
• Oddo, V. M., & Ickes, S. B. (2018). Maternal employment in low- and middle-income countries is associated with improved infant and young child feeding. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 107(3), 335–344. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy001
• Ickes, S. B., Wu, M., Mandel, M. P., & Roberts, A. C. (2018). Associations between social support, psychological well-being, decision making, empowerment, infant and young child feeding, and nutritional status in Ugandan children ages 0 to 24 months. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 14(1), e12483. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12483
• Ickes, S. B., Baguma, C., Brahe, C. A., et al. (2017). Maternal participation in a nutrition education program in Uganda is associated with improved infant and young child feeding practices and feeding knowledge: A post-program comparison study. BMC Nutrition, 3, 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-017-0140-8
• Ickes, S. B., Heymsfield, G. A., Wright, T. W., & Baguma, C. (2016). “Generally the young mom suffers much:” Socio‐cultural influences of maternal capabilities and nutrition care in Uganda. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 13(3), e12365. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12365
• Ickes, S. B., Hurst, T. E., & Flax, V. L. (2015). Maternal literacy, facility birth, and education are positively associated with better infant and young child feeding practices and nutritional status among Ugandan children. The Journal of Nutrition, 145(11), 2578–2586. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.214346
• Ickes, S. B., Trichler, R. B., & Parks, B. C. (2015). Building a stronger system for tracking nutrition-sensitive spending. Food & Nutrition Bulletin, 36(4), 520–533. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572115611785
• Jones, A. D., Ickes, S. B., Smith, L. E., Mbuya, M. N. N., Chasekwa, B., Heidkamp, R. A., Menon, P., Zongrone, A. A., & Stoltzfus, R. J. (2014). World Health Organization infant and young child feeding indicators and their associations with child anthropometry: A synthesis of recent findings. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 10(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12070
• Ickes, S. B., Jilcott, S. B., Myhre, J. A., Adair, L. S., Thirumurthy, H., Handa, S., … Ammerman, A. S. (2012). Examination of facilitators and barriers to home-based supplemental feeding with ready-to-use food for underweight children in western Uganda. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 8(1), 115–129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2010.00260.x

Recent Funding

Recent Funding

Title		Funding Agency	Direct costs		Dates
Pilot testing of lactation support in low wage workplaces in Kenya		William & Mary Arts and Sciences SEED GRANT:	$30,000		2025-2026
Understanding social networks and infant feeding decisions among mothers in Kenya		Reves-Draper Fellowship at William and Mary.	$15,000		2024-2025
Assessing the feasibility of lactation support for mothers working in the Kenyan commercial agriculture industry		W&M Faculty Research Grant	$5,000		2024-2025
Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices due to COVID-19 in Kenya		National Institutes of Health – Fogarty International Center	$80,728		2021-2023
International Research Scientist Development Award (K01): Identifying risk factors for sub-optimal breastfeeding and opportunities for breastfeeding promotion among working mothers in Kenya		National Institutes of Health – Fogarty International Center	$669,897		2017-2023