Olutayo Adeyemi started her career as a public health nutritionist but soon learned on the job that the availability of evidence-based nutrition interventions and resources to implement them are not sufficient to achieve nutrition change. Rather, the ability to navigate and harness contextual political economy is crucial. She consequently decided to pursue a career in food and nutrition policy and obtained a Ph.D. in Nutrition with minors in Epidemiology and Public Affairs from Cornell University. 

Olutayo’s work supports the translation of scientific evidence into household impact, including relevant research, contributing to policy and strategy development, and institutional capacity strengthening. Her 2023 projects include support for nutrition leadership development; design and implementation of national and state-level food systems and nutrition strategies; routine monitoring of food access using cost and affordability of healthy diet indicators; as well as the development of a Nigeria State-level Food Systems Dashboard. 

Olutayo Adeyemi's expertise and commitment lie in effectively bridging the gap between research, policy, and real-world impact, ultimately striving for transformative change in the field of nutrition.