Introducing our 2021 Peacock Fellow

Written by Keerti Kalluru

My name is Keerti Kalluru, and I am excited to join CFK this year as the UNC Peacock Fellow. I am an undergraduate student at UNC pursuing degrees in Nutrition and Human Development & Family Studies. During my time at UNC, I have had the opportunity to engage in global health research, which fueled my interest in addressing health disparities especially in the field of maternal and child health. I believe in working with communities to improve access to nutrition and education, both of which can lead to healthy development and livelihoods. 

In addition to my research work, I am the co-president of Healing in Motion – a student organization at UNC that promotes the well-being of people with chronic illness through dance – and I volunteer with Birth Beginnings Doula Volunteer Services. 

I firmly believe in and support CFK’s community-driven approach and work to alleviate poverty throughout informal settlements. I am eager to elevate the work being done in Kibera and amplify the voices of community leaders for CFK’s 20th anniversary.

As this year’s UNC Peacock Fellow, I will be focusing on communications efforts for CFK’s 20th anniversary by creating promotional content and increasing engagement and fundraising.

In addition, I will support the expansion of CFK’s ethical research platform and will work on nutrition-related projects in collaboration with the Lishe Bora Mtaani Nutrition Centre in Kibera. Although this year has not been typical, I am really enthusiastic about contributing to CFK and maybe (hopefully!) will have the opportunity to witness the work of the wonderful team in Kenya sometime this year.

Here is a little more information about me: 

Hobbies: I love to dance! I have been dancing Bharatanatyam (an Indian classical dance form) since I was seven years old. I am on a dance team at UNC and one of my favorite memories is when we won 2nd place at a national competition in Chicago. I also like reading, watching movies, and trying out arts and crafts. 

Fun Fact: I lived in India for seven years and can speak three Indian languages – Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada. 

One new thing I learned this year: My grandmother taught me how to use the sewing machine.