Erick Boy is the chief nutritionist in the HarvestPlus section of the Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit. As head of nutrition for the HarvestPlus Program since 2008, he has led research that has generated scientific evidence on biofortified staple crops as efficacious and effective interventions to help address iron, vitamin A, and zinc deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Major contributions to the global nutrition community from the HarvestPlus research portfolio during his tenure include the first publications on the impact of biofortification as a dietary intervention to improve nutritional status and aspects of health causally associated with iron, vitamin A, and zinc. Currently, his main area of research is exploring the association between zinc and chronic noncommunicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Prior to joining HarvestPlus, Erick worked for 10 years at the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP/PAHO), where his research focused on the prevention of low birth weight and the control of iodine and iron deficiencies. The demonstration of the impact of indoor biofuel smoke on birth weight was a memorable contribution during this phase of his career.

At the Micronutrient Initiative (1999-2008), Erick directed the iron and zinc research program, and managed Latin American projects and the Global Vitamin A Supplementation Procurement Project. He was instrumental in the introduction of zinc supplements for the treatment of diarrhea and multiple micronutrient powders to treat anemia in several Latin American countries. Erick holds a medical degree from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and a master's and doctoral degree in human nutrition from the University of California at Davis.