Leanne De Souza-Kenney
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Human Biology Program, Department of Cell & Systems Biology and Health Studies Program
Leanne De Souza-Kenney is an assistant professor in the Human Biology Program in the Department of Cell & Systems Biology and the Health Studies Program at University College. She is cross-appointed to the Institute for Life Course and Aging at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and is a Distinguished Fellow in Child Nutrition and Health at the Joannah & Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition.
De Souza-Kenney's research focuses on chronic disease prevention, examining modifiable risk factors related to the social determinants of health and structural inequities that lead to health disparities. Her research and teaching are connected to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
De Souza-Kenney's teaching emphasizes community engaged learning and students-as-partners approaches along with local, national, and international partnerships. She holds the inaugural Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Race and Health Policy at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis, where she examines the impact of structural inequities and health disparities in the underserved.
De Souza-Kenney earned her PhD from the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, and her MSc from the university’s Department of Nutritional Sciences.