Ray-Yu Yang

Nutritionist

AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

Contact

AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center,

P. O. Box 42 Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan 74199, ROC

Tel: 886-6-5837801 ext 430, Fax: 886-6-5830009

E-mail:

Sketch

Dr. Ray-Yu Yang received her M.Sc. in Food Biochemistry from National Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan in 1990. She joined AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center in 1991 where she has worked in a range of capacities until the present. In 2005-2006, she was a visiting scientist for six months at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. She earned her Ph.D. in Food and Nutrition from the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation at Ping-Tung University in Taiwan in 2006.

Since 2003, Dr. Ray-Yu Yang has headed the AVRDC Nutrition group based in Taiwan. She specializes in the application of laboratory analytical methods to quantify essential nutrients and phytochemical contents of vegetables from tropical Africa and Asia, and the characterization of vegetables for nutritional and functional properties, including nutrient bioavailability, anti-inflammation, and anti-diabetic activities. Her group provides laboratory support to the Center’s breeding teams and other researchers to improve vegetable content, quality and nutrition. She collaborates with agricultural, socio-economic and health scientists and develops project proposals and programs with emphasis on nutrition-sensitive agricultural interventions and food-based approaches to alleviate the triple burdens of malnutrition (underweight, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity), especially for mothers and children, in lower income countries.

Currently, she works with the AVRDC team and country partners using home garden approaches to improved diet and nutrition for mothers and children in India, Bangladesh and Mali. She is collaborating with Swiss public health scientists to study the synergetic effects of nutrition and health for children involved in school garden programs in Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania and Burkina Faso. She actively participates in the CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs) to strengthen linkages between agriculture with nutrition. She is the Center Focal Point of AVRDC in the A4NH (Agriculture for Nutrition and Health) program and assisted the Humidtropics program in developing indicators and impact pathways for nutrition outcomes. She is leading a study involving AVRDC colleagues, a Bangladesh seed company and IFPRI scientists to test the effectiveness of nutrition integrated agricultural extension on knowledge gains and behavior changes of vegetable farmers and home gardeners. She also leads an interdisciplinary team including plant breeders, socio-economists, food chemists, nutritionists, and medical doctors from India, Germany, Taiwan, Tanzania and Thailand for a BMZ-funded project “Exploiting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) to increase incomes, manage type 2 diabetes, and promote health in developing countries”.(2013/11/28)

Education

Degree / School / Major / Year
PhD / Institution of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Ping-Tung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan / Food and Nutrition / 2001.09 – 2006.01
MSc / Department of Food Science, National Chung-Shin University, Taiwan, Taiwan / Food Biochemistry / 1988.09 – 1990.06
BSc / Department of Food Science, Tung-Hai University, Taiwan / Food Science / 1984.09 – 1988.06

Employment Record

2008.07 – Present Nutritionist, AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center

2003.02 – PresentUnit Head, Nutrition Unit, AVRDC

2007.01 – 2010.06Theme Leader for Nutrition, AVRDC

2006.02 − 2008.06Associate Specialist (nutrition), Nutrition Unit, AVRDC

2004.11 − 2005.04Visiting Scientist at Antioxidant Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA – Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, USA.

2000.10–2006.01Assistant Specialist, Nutrition and Analytical Laboratory, AVRDC

Research interests:

  1. Studies of the composition, diversity and distribution of nutritional and functional constituents of vegetables within and among species,especiallythose underutilizedand indigenous in Asia and Africa
  2. Evaluation of nutritional values, supplies, retentions and outcomes of vegetables along the food flow (germplasm/varieties, production, postharvest, food preparation/ processing, and consumption)
  3. Dietary strategies and food based approaches for improving poor household nutrition and health
  4. Development and evaluation of nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions (such as home/ school/community gardens)

Laboratory capacities:

  • General laboratory equipment for food and nutrition analyses
  • Chemistry: HPLC-PDA, LCMS, NIRS
  • Biochemistry: protein purification, animal cell culture room, linkage with national animal center for animal studies

Recent projects (2011 - ):

Grant title, donor, target country/region / Project duration / Role
  1. Case Study - enhanced nutritional outcomes of populations through nutrition-sensitive agricultural promotion by a vegetable seed company in Bangladesh, A4NH Seed Grant, funded by A4NH-IFPRI
/ 2013 – 2014
(phase I) / -Proposal lead author
-Project partner
  1. Improving nutrient supplies and diet diversity with vegetables in Mali, funded by USAID-FtF
/ 2013 - 2014 / -Project manager
  1. Vegetables go to School: Improving Nutrition through Agricultural Diversification (target countries: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines), funded by SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation)
/ 2013.03 – 2016.02 / -Project partner
-PI for nutrition activity and case studies of school gardens for nutrition
  1. AVRDC Workplan under CRP1.2: Challenge Research Program – HumidTropics (CGIAR fund)
/ 2012.07 – 2015.06 / -Project partners
-PI for nutrition studiesunder AVRDC workplan
  1. Improving incomes, nutrition, and health in Bangladesh through potato, sweetpotato, and vegetables, funded by USAID, the United State
/ 2011.10 – 2015.09 / -Project partner
-PI for nutrition activities
  1. A better bitter gourd: Exploiting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) to increase incomes, manage type 2 diabetes, and promote health in developing countries (target countries: India and Tanzania), funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ, Germany
/ 2011.03 – 2014.02 / -Proposal lead author
-Project Manager
-PI for chemistry, food and nutrition studies
  1. Metabolomics research on plant foods, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. Subproject 1: Variation and diversity of phytochemicals in vegetables affected by differing production seasons and cooking methods – a plant metabolomic approach, National Science Council (NSC), Taiwan
/ 2010.12 – 2013. 02 / -Proposal lead author for subproject 1
-Project manager and PI for subproject 1
  1. Improving vegetable production and consumption for sustainable rural livelihoods in Jharkhand and Punjab, Subproject 2: Home gardens for diet diversification and better health, India, Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), India
/ 2008.04 – 2013.03
(Planning for phase II) / -Proposal lead author for subproject 2
  1. Classification of Asian and African indigenous vegetables for anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution nature as determined by production of prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase-2 in macrophage RAW 264.7, NSC, Taiwan
/ 2009.08 – 2011.07 / -Proposal lead author
-PI

Publications

  1. Yang, Ray-Yu and Chris Ojiewo (2013). African Nightshades and African Eggplants: Taxonomy, Crop Management, Utilization, and Phytonutrients. In H. R. Juliani, J. E. Simon &C-T. Ho (Eds.), African Natural Plant Products Volume II: Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry, Health and Nutrition (pp. 137-165). Washington DC, USA: American Chemical Society.
  2. Yang, Ray-Yu, Sahrah Fischer, Peter M. Hanson, J. D. H. Keatinge (2013). Increasing Micronutrient Availability from Food in Sub-Saharan Africa with Indigenous Vegetables. In H. R. Juliani, J. E. Simon &C-T. Ho (Eds.), African Natural Plant Products Volume II: Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry, Health and Nutrition (pp. 231-254). Washington DC, USA: American Chemical Society.
  3. Ramakrishnan M.N., Yang, R.Y.; Easdown, W. J., Thavarajah D., Thavarajah, P., Hughes, J.d'A. Keatinge, J.D.H. (2013) Biofortification of mungbean (Vigna radiata ) as a whole food to enhance human health. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6110.
  4. Keatinge, J.D.H., Chadha, M.L., Hughes, J.d’A., Easdown, W.J., Holmer, R.J., Tenkouano, A., Yang, R.Y., Mavlyanova, R., Neave, S., Afari-Sefa, V., Luther, G., Ravishankar, M., Ojiewo, C., Belarmino, M., Ebert, A., Wang, J.F., Lin, L.J. (2012) Vegetable gardens and their impact on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Biological Agriculture & Horticulture: 28(2):71-85.
  5. Oluoch, M.O., Habwe, F.O., Ngegba, J.B., Koskei, K.R., Yang, R.Y. (2012). Food preparation and processing methods on nutrient retention and accessibility in selected indigenous vegetables form East Africa. In: Nono-Womdim, R., Ojiewo, C., Abang, M., Olouch, M.O. eds. Good Agricultural Practices for African Indigenous Vegetables. 233-241. Leuven, ISHS.
  6. Chadha, M.L., Yang, R.Y., Sain, S.K., Triveni, C., Pal, R., Ravishankar, M. and Ghai, T.R. (2012) Home gardens: an intervention for improved health and nutrition in selected states of India. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 937:1049-1055.
  7. Keatinge JDH, Yang RY, J Hughes, W Easdown (2012). Importance of vegetables in ensuring both food and nutritional security in attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. Food Security3(4): 491-501.
  8. Yang RY, Bhattarai M, Ebert A, Hanson P, Luther G, Lin LC, Keatinge JDH. (2011) Indigenous vegetables for nutrition security in response to climate change. In: 2011 APEC Workshop on Collaboration on the Promotion of Indigenous Vegetables for Copping with Climate Change and Food Security. 20-25 Nov 2011, Taichung, Taiwan.
  9. Gómez, M., Barrett, C., Buck, L., De Groote, H., Ferris, S., Gao, O., McGullough, E., Miller, D., Outhred, H., Pell, A., Reardon, T., Retnanestri, M., Ruben, R., Struebi, P., Swinnen, J., Touesnard, M., Weinberger, K., Keatinge, D., Milstein, M., Pingali, P., Yang, R.Y. (2011) Food value chains, sustainability indicators and poverty alleviation. Science.332:1154-1155.
  10. J.D.H. Keatinge, W.J. Easdown, R.Y. Yang, M.L. Chadha, S. Shanmugasundaram (2011) Overcoming Chronic Malnutrition in a Future Warming World: The Key Importance of Mungbean and Vegetable Soybean. Euphytica. 180:129-141
  11. Hanson, Peter, Ray-yu Yang, Lien-chung Chang, Lance Ledesma, and Dolores Ledesma. (2011)Carotenoid, Ascorbic Acid, Minerals and Total Glucosinolates Contents of Choysum (Brassica rapa cvg. parachinensis) and Kailaan (B. oleracea Alboglabra Group) as Affected by Variety and Season. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 24: 950-962
  12. Habicht, S.D., Kind V., Rudloff, S., Borsch, C., Mueller, A.S., Pallauf, J., Yang, R.Y., Krawinkel, M.B. (2011) Quantification of antidiabetic extracts and compounds in bitter gourd varieties. Food Chem 126:172-176.
  13. M.L. Chadha, Ray-yu Yang, Satish K. Sain, Triveni C., Roohani Pal, Ravishankar M. and Tarsem Lal (2011) Home gardens: an intervention for improved health and nutrition in selected states of India. Acta Hort (In press)
  14. J.D.H. Keatinge, W.J. Easdown, J. d’A. Hughes, R-Y. Yang and R. Symonds (2011), Ensuring Future Food and Nutritional Security in the Context of a Warming World with More Limited Natural Resources. Acta Hort(In press)
  15. Ojiewo, C., Tenkouano, A., Oluoch, M., Yang, R.Y. (2010) The role of AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center in vegetable value chains.Afr. J. Hort. Sci:3:1-23.
  16. Cheng, K.W., Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Lo, C.S.C., Ho, C.T., Lee, T.C., Wang, M. (2009) Analysis of antioxidant activity and antioxidant constituents of Chinese toon. Journal of Functional Food1: 253-259.
  17. Yang, R.Y., Hanson, P.M. (2009). Improved food availability for food security in Asia-Pacific region. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. v.18(4):633-637.
  18. Weinberger, K.M., Easdown, W.J., Yang, R.Y., Keatinge, J.D.H. (2009). Food crisis in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. v.18(4):507-515
  19. Wahlqvist, M.L., Keatinge, J.D.H., Butler, C.D., Friel, S., McKay, J. , Easdown, W., Kuo, K.N., Huang, C.J., Pan, W.H., Yang, R.Y., Lee, M.S., Chang, H.Y., Chiu, Y.W., Jaron, D., Krawinkel, M., Barlow, S., Walsh, G., Chiang, T.L., Huang, P.C., Li, D. (2009). A Food in Health Security (FIHS) platform in the Asia-Pacific region: the way forward. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. v.18(4):688-702.
  20. Lin, L.J., Hsiao, Y.Y., Yang, R.Y., Kuo, C.G., (2009). Evaluation of ivy gourd and tropical violet as new vegetables for alleviating micronutrient deficiency. Acta Horticulturae. no.841:329-333.
  21. Yang, R.Y. and Keding G.B. (2009) Nutritional contributions of important African indigenous vegetables, In: Shackleton C.M., Pasquini M.W. and Drescher A.W. eds. African indigenous vegetables in urban agriculture.2009:105-143. London & Sterling, VA: Earthscan.
  22. Hanson, P., Yang, R.Y., Chang, L.C., Ledesma, L., and Ledesma, D. (2009) Contents of carotenoids, ascorbic acid, minerals and total glucosinolates in leafy brassic pakchoi (Brassica rapa L. chinensis) as affected by season and variety. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 89:906-914.
  23. Juroszek, P., Lumpkin, H.M., Yang, R.Y., Ledesma, D.R., Ma, C.H., (2009). Fruit quality and bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity of tomatoes grown on-farm: comparison of organic and conventional management systems. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 57(4):1188-1194
  24. Ngegba, J.B., Msuya, J.M., Yang, R.Y., (2009). In vitro iron bioavailability in sweet potato leaf recipes as affected by processing methods. Acta Horticulturae. no.806:385-390.
  25. Juroszek, P., Ledesma, D., Ma, C.H., Yang, R.Y., Lumpkin, H.M., Lin, C.C., Tsai, H.H., Wu, D.L., Hanson, P.M., Palada, M.C., (2008). Plant vigour and yields of organically and conventionally grown tomato crops in Taiwan. Acta Hort. no.767:257-265.
  26. Ma, C.H., Juroszek, P., Palada, M., Srinivasan, R., Wang, T.C., Yang, R.Y., (2008). Integration of production technologies for organic vegetable soybean in Taiwan. HortScience. 43(4):1106.
  27. Sanjaya, Hsiao, P.Y., Su, R.C., Ko, S.S., Tong, C.G., Yang, R.Y., Chan, M.T., (2008). Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana tryptophan synthase beta 1 (AtTSB1) in Arabidopsis and tomato confers tolerance to cadmium stress. Plant Cell, Cell and Enviroment. 31(8):1074-1085.
  28. Yang, R.Y., Lin, S., Kuo, G., (2008). Content and distribution of flavonoids among 91 edible plant species. Asia Pac J Clin Nutri. 17(1):275-279.
  29. Du, P.L., Lin, P.H., Yang, R.Y., Fan, Y.K., Hsu, J.C., (2007). Effects of dietary supplementation of Moringa oleifera on growth performance, blood characteristics and immune response in broilers. J Chin Soc Animal Sci. 36(3):135-146.
  30. Hanson, P.M., Sitathani, K., Sadashiva, A.T., Yang, R.Y., Graham, E., Ledesma, D., (2007). Performance of Solanum habrochaites LA1777 introgression line hybrids for marketable tomato fruit yield in Asia. Euphytica.158(1-2):167-178.
  31. Lin, P.H., Hsieh, Y.H., Yang, R.Y., Hsu, J.C., (2007). Effects of dietary addition of Isatis indigotica root on growth performances and immune responses in broilers. J Chin Soc Animal Sci. 36(1):13-22.
  32. Palada, M.C., Chang, L.C., Yang, R.Y., Engle, L.M., (2007). Introduction and varietal screening of drumstick tree (Moringa spp.) for horticultural traits and adaptation in Taiwan. Acta Hort. 752:249-253.
  33. Yang, R.Y., Hanson, P.M., Lumpkin, T.A., (2007). Better health through horticulture - AVRDC's approach to improved nutrition of the poor. Acta Hort. 744:71-77.
  34. Yang, R.Y., Wu, J., Chen, D., Lin, M., Shiao, R., Kuo, G., (2007). Distribution of edible plants for nutraceutical values. Acta Hort.752:115-122.
  35. Yang, R.Y., Chang, L.C., Hsu, J.C., Weng, B.B.C., Palada, M.C., Chadha, M.L., Levasseur, V., (2007). Nutritional and functional properties of moringa leaves - from germplasm to plant, to food, to health. In: Moringa leaves: strategies, standards and markets for a better impact on nutrition in Africa. Paris : Moringanews, Moringa and Plant Resources Network. 9 pp.
  36. Hanson, P., Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Ledesma, D., Engle, L., Lee, T.C., (2006). Diversity in eggplant (Solanum melongena) for superoxide scavenging activity, total phenolics, and ascorbic acid. J Food Comp Anal. 19:594-600.
  37. Kidmose, U., Yang, R.Y., Thilsted, S.H., Christensen, L.P., Brandt, K., (2006). Content of carotenoids in commonly consumed Asian vegetables and stability and extractability during frying. J Food Comp Anal. 19:562-571.
  38. Shieh, S.C., Huang, Y.L., Lin, S.W., Wu, W.J., Yang, R.Y., Gniffke, P.A., (2006). Hot pepper variety development through evaluation of heterosis and combining ability. Seed and Nursery.8(2):47-62.
  39. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C., Wu, W.J., Hanson, P.M., Kuo, G., Engle, L.M., Lai, P.Y., (2006). Distribution of 127 edible plant species for antioxidant activities by two assays. J Sci Food Agri. 86:2395-2403.
  40. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., (2006). Enhancing iron bioavailability of vegetables through proper preparation - principles and applications. J Intl Cooperation. 1(1):107-119.
  41. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C., Chang, L.C., Kuo, G., Lai, P.Y., (2006). Moringa, a novel plant rich in antioxidants, bioavailable iron, and nutrients. In: Challenges in chemistry and biology of herbs. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. p.224-239.
  42. Hanson, P.M., Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C. (2005). Evaluation of anti-oxidant activity levels among Solanaceae germplasm. In: Symposium on Taiwan-America agricultural cooperative projects: contributed papers. Taichung Hsien: Agricultural Research Institute, COA. p.61-68.
  43. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C., Hanson, P.M., Lai, P.Y. (2005). Antioxidant capacities and daily antioxidant intake from vegetables consumed in Taiwan. In: Symposium on Taiwan-America agricultural cooperative projects: contributed papers. Taichung Hsien: Agricultural Research Institute, COA. p.69-77.
  44. Yang, R.Y. (2005). Obesity and overweight in developing countries. Bonn: GTZ GmbH. 5 pp.
  45. Hanson, P.M., Yang, R.Y., Lin, S., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C., Wu, J., Shieh, J., Gniffke, P., Ledesma, D. (2004). Variation for antioxidant activity and antioxidants in a subset of AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center capsicum core collection. Plant Genetic Resources. v.2(3)153-166.
  46. Hanson, P.M., Yang, R.Y., Wu, J., Chen, J.T., Ledesma, D., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C. (2004). Variation for antioxidant activity and antioxidants in tomato. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. v.129(5):704-711.
  47. Bains, K., Yang, R.Y., Shanmugasundaram, S. (2003). High-iron mungbean recipes for north India. Shanhua, Tainan: AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center. 34 pp.
  48. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Lee, T.C. (2002). Effect of cooking on in vitro iron bioavailability of various vegetables. In: Bioactive compounds in foods effects of processing and storage. ed. by Lee, T.C.; Ho, C.T.; Washington, D.C.: American Chemical Society. p.130-142.
  49. Shanmugasundaram, S., Yan, M.R., Yang, R.Y. (2001). Association between protein, oil and sugar in vegetable soybean. In: Second international vegetable soybean conference. Pullman, WA: Washington State University. p.157-160.
  50. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S., Shanmugasundaram, S., Yan, M.R. (2001). Quality of lipoxygenase-null vegetable soybean lines at vegetable and grain stages. In: Second international vegetable soybean conference. Pullman, WA: Washington State University. p.195-199.
  51. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S. (2000). Evaluation of the nutritional potentials of indigenous vegetables. In: Collection, conservation and utilization of indigenous vegetables; Proceedings of a. ed. by Engle, L.M.; Altoveros, N.C.; Shanhua, Tainan: AVRDC. p.95-99.
  52. Subramanian, M.A., Yang, R.Y. (1998). High-iron mungbean recipes from South Asia. Shanhua, Tainan: AVRDC. 34p.
  53. Yang, R.Y., Tsou, S.C.S. (1998). Mungbean as a potential iron source in south Asian diets. In: International consultation workshop on mungbean. Shanhua, Tainan: AVRDC. p.152-158.

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