Mary Dawn Koenig is an Associate Professor and PhD Program Director at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing. For over 16 years, she has been leading the field of maternal and child health related to maternal obesity and perinatal nutrition, specifically focusing on iron metabolism. Dr. Koenig is a preeminent researcher, scholar, and leader in this arena, focusing on the bidirectional relationship between nutritional status and the body’s immune and inflammatory responses. She is developing innovative, safe, and effective interventions designed to optimize nutrition in pregnancies complicated by obesity, particularly regarding iron bioavailability. Her research has advanced the understanding of nutrient metabolism in pregnancy, shaping prenatal care practices in the U.S. and globally. The therapies I have developed are designed to enhance maternal and fetal iron bioavailability, with the ultimate goal of transforming clinical standards for iron supplementation. Dr. Koenig’s work has moved the field of nutrient metabolism in pregnancy forward toward improving prenatal care and health outcomes globally. Dr. Koenig holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, MSN from Yale University, and BSN from McMaster University.