Ph.D. Student, Division of Nutritional Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Asma Yahya is a PhD candidate in Nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a passion for creating culturally tailored, technology-based solutions to support healthy weight loss. Her research focuses on adapting evidence-based dietary programs to better meet the needs of Arab adults. She recently led a pilot study in Saudi Arabia using an Arabic version of the EMPOWER online weight-loss program, which showed positive changes in weight, waist circumference, and eating habits. By blending behavioral science, digital health, and practical nutrition strategies, her goal is to make sustainable lifestyle changes more achievable for underserved communities.