Informed by training in nutritional sciences, family processes, and community-based participatory research, my work is focused on addressing two overlapping questions: 1) What is the role of social, structural, and cultural factors in shaping dietary behaviors and diet-related health outcomes over the life course and 2) What programmatic and policy interventions are effective at promoting resilience and reducing the chronic disease burden in populations that are disproportionately at risk for ill health. Nutrition and dietary behaviors have long been at the center of efforts to reduce chronic disease and improve overall population health. However, over the last decade there has been an emerging discourse that highlights the complex determinants of dietary behavior and the need for using a multilevel and/or systems approach to address these factors.
In my research, I have attempted to meaningfully contribute to this discourse by examining the diverse factors that influence food choice behaviors in low-income populations and communities of color and inform the development of community-based intervention approaches. This work has focused on expanding theoretical paradigms, identifying and evaluating policy, systems, and environmental change interventions, and developing effective training approaches for nutrition professionals to deliver culturally appropriate, community centered nutrition education services.
Throughout my career, I have viewed my research, teaching, and service as complementary, where one area enhances and/or provides support for the other. Consistent across each, are the themes of community engagement/capacity building, equity, action, power, and social justice. Overall, my approach to research is guided by the principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR),a partnership approach to research that equitably involves community members, practitioners, and academic researchers in all aspects of the process, enabling all partners to contribute their expertise and share responsibility and ownership (Israel et al., 2010) and team science, a collaborative effort to address a scientific challenge that leverages the strengths and expertise of professionals trained in different fields (Bennettand Gadlin, 2012; National Research Council, 2015). As a BIPOC nutrition researcher with specific expertise in equity, qualitative research approaches, and CBPR, I often bring this expertise to interdisciplinary research teams.
