As a scientist, she hasn’t always been able to connect with the communities she works with, but she is excited to now have the opportunity to do so by leading a new study looking at Vitamin D. During a previous study conducted at Tufts, Jen found that 75% of 4th-8th grade children in Somerville, Massachusetts, were Vitamin D deficient and 97% were Vitamin D insufficient. These findings prompted Tufts investigators to examine this issue on a broader scale and to do so, partner with more communities in the Boston area. In her upcoming study, Jen will be leading a team of researchers that hope to look at more than 600 children in Everett, Malden, Cambridge, Somerville and Lynn.