Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator
Tell us about your job.
I am currently a faculty member in Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida. Our department is unique in that we have an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and changing health behavior and my niche is nutrition education and behavior. I teach undergraduate and graduate students, conduct research and outreach, and direct the graduate program of 70 MS and PhD students.
What do you find most interesting about your job?
Although I have specific job expectations, I essentially set my own schedule and have autonomy in the research that I conduct related to nutrition education and behavioral science. My passion is translating nutrition science for consumers and this is an important and unique aspect of my research, teaching, and outreach. My greatest joy comes from supporting student success and seeing them flourish in their own career path and making an impact on improving the nutritional health of families in the community through my research.
How did you get into this field?
My first job after college was with the Dairy Council MidEast in Columbus, Ohio where I was a Nutrition Communication and Public Relations specialist. After 4 years, I returned to graduate school to earn my PhD and work in academia where I could direct my own program and efforts in nutrition education focused research, teaching and outreach. I have worked as faculty member at a few universities before I moved to the Department of Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida in 2018.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Pittsburgh, PA but have not lived there for over 20 years. In academia, we tend to move around for new opportunities and I am currently living in Florida where I love the sunshine but I am not yet used to the heat and humidity!
Where did you go to college and/or complete an internship?
I have enjoyed educational opportunities at several large land-grant universities:
Penn State University – BS in Applied Nutrition
Ohio State University – MS in Human Nutrition & dietetic internship (RD)
University of Maryland – PhD in Nutrition
Besides your profession, what are you hobbies?
Running, hiking, traveling, collecting Chewbacca memorabilia, visiting Florida theme parks and the beach with my family.
What are your favorite foods?
Italian food & most anything chocolate especially chocolate covered gummy bears!
What is on your bucket list?
Visiting Italy, Greece & Australia.
How long have you been a member of NEP DPG? And why did you join?
I have been a member as long as I can remember-probably since 1998; I joined because of the unique focus on nutrition education for the public, which is something that I have always enjoyed even since my undergraduate studies.
Any other interesting things you would like to share with NEP members?
My research group finally joined Twitter, check us out @UFNEBS_Lab