Cacious Phiri

PhD Student, Tanumihardjo Research Group

Interaction of vitamin A with vitamin D and calcium on bone outcomes in swine

Cacious has an MSc. in Human Nutrition and a BSc. in Agriculture majoring in Nutrition and Food Science both from the University of Malawi. During his master’s program, Cacious investigated the effectiveness of nutrition counseling in promoting optimal child feeding practices. Cacious worked as a Nutrition Officer in the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS providing nutrition policy direction in the implementation of nutrition programs in Malawi. As a coordinating office, he provided support to ministries of Agriculture and Food Security; Health and Population; Gender, Children and Disability; Education; and the Non-Governmental Organizations. To achieve this mandate, Cacious conducted capacity building exercises through trainings, and mentorship. He has contributed to developing national documents in nutrition, food security, hygiene & sanitation, and early childhood development. His job saw him interacting with development partners, non-governmental organizations, and the donor community. His areas of focus were maternal & child nutrition, and the school feeding program. He has also worked with the University of Malawi as a lecturer in human nutrition and participated in curriculum review in addition to teaching and supervising students’ research. As a PhD candidate, Cacious is destined to graduate in December, 2025.

Enhanced Calcium Intake Increases Bone Mineral Density on the Background of Vitamin A Toxicity in a Swine Model

Cacious B Phiri, Christopher R Davis, Olivia Rodriguez-Vargas, Bryan M Gannon, Julie A Howe, Brittney P Kokinos, Thomas D Crenshaw, Sherry A Tanumihardjo

The Journal of nutrition. 2026 February 27. pmid:41759827, doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101440
Vitamin D Maintains Growth and Bone Mineral Density against a Background of Severe Vitamin A Deficiency and Moderate Toxicity in a Swine Model

Cacious B Phiri, Christopher R Davis, Michael Grahn, Bryan M Gannon, Brittney P Kokinos, Thomas D Crenshaw, Sherry A Tanumihardjo

Nutrients. 2024 July 13. pmid:38999785, pmc:PMC11243655, doi:10.3390/nu16132037
Repeated High-Dose Vitamin A Supplements, Standard of Care for Treating Xerophthalmia, Leads to Hypervitaminosis A in Piglets

Jesse Sheftel, Christopher R Davis, Cacious B Phiri, Thomas D Crenshaw, Sherry A Tanumihardjo

The Journal of nutrition. 2024 May 26. pmid:38797483, doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.05.023

Dean’s Honor Roll, 4th year, second semester.