Dr. Thilsted is the Director for Nutrition, Health, and Food Security Impact Area Platform of the CGIAR, with her current base in Washington, D.C. She formerly served as the Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health at WorldFish, Penang, Malaysia. Her professional focus revolves around nutrition-sensitive aquatic food systems, particularly the potential for increased production and consumption of nutrient-rich small fish to combat and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Thilsted is involved in the development and testing of fish-based products for women and children during the crucial first 1,000 days of life, aiming to enhance dietary diversity and supply essential, highly bioavailable nutrients.

She plays a crucial role in advocating for aquatic foods' importance in nourishing nations and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on various international, regional, and national platforms.

In 2021, Dr. Thilsted received the World Food Prize in recognition of her pioneering research and innovative approaches to nutrition-sensitive aquatic food systems. Additionally, she was honored with the 2021 Arrell Global Food Innovation Award for her research innovations, benefiting food and nutrition security, income, and livelihoods.

As a member of the Steering Committee of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE) of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS), and as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, she actively contributes to shaping global food security and nutrition policies.

In 2022, Dr. Thilsted assumed the co-chair position of the EAT-Lancet 2.0 Commission. Furthermore, she received Honorary Doctorates from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and The University of the West Indies (UWI), acknowledging her exceptional contributions to the field.