Nutrition Doctoral Candidate
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
My research focus is driven by my lived childhood experience in southern Appalachia. During these formative years, my family experienced sustained periods of food insecurity. At an early age I absorbed how the interconnectedness of my rural community was seemingly more readily available and trusted than healthcare or emerging technologies. I have robust project manager, research coordinator experience on multiple randomized controlled longitudinal trials investigating physical activity, food insecurity, energy expenditure, and metabolic rate. I am proficient and well versed in various biometric and self-report measurements that are appropriate, reliable, and validated for assessing cardiovascular health, dietary intake, and health behavioral determinants. My present research is aimed at designing and evaluating community based mHealth interventions to improve physical activity and healthy food access in underserved populations.