Experience

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  Food Research & Action Center

  • Senior Advisor, SNAP

    • Feb 2021 - Jun 2021

    In this short-term role, critically analyzed and interpreted policy and research on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) topics of priority for federal- and state-level policy and advocacy work (e.g., college student access to SNAP, changes to SNAP pursuant to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan). Produced well-written, evidence-based content that made persuasive cases for improving SNAP access and benefits. Provided technical assistance and expertise to staff and partners on a variety of SNAP policy and research issues, including the adequacy of SNAP benefits.

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  Food Research & Action Center

  • United States
  • Public Policy Offices
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Senior Researcher, Nutrition Policy & Community Health

    • Aug 2019 - Feb 2020

    Analyzed policy and research and developed advocacy strategies focused on obesity prevention, healthy eating, and improved nutrition quality and health for low-income people and communities, especially in relation to publicly-funded nutrition programs. Authored technical reports and policy briefs on the federal nutrition programs, food insecurity, health, obesity, and access to healthy, affordable foods. Conducted research on food hardship and food access. Developed training materials, resources, strategies, and partnerships focused on identifying and addressing food insecurity in health care and other community-based settings. Created periodical e-newsletters (e.g., ResearchWIRE), blogs, and social media posts focused on obesity, nutrition, health, poverty, food insecurity, and federal nutrition program research. Updated and expanded the obesity and health sections of the FRAC website. Developed content and organized sessions for the annual National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference. Provided technical assistance and expertise to staff, partners, advocates, the media, expert panels, and government agencies on food insecurity, obesity, health, and food access issues in underserved communities. (This technical assistance and expertise included submitting written comments during federal public comment periods, providing oral testimony to federal expert panels, critically reviewing journal articles and other publications, and presenting at local, state, and national conferences.) Supervised interns and mentored students and early career professionals.

  • Senior Nutrition Policy and Research Analyst

    • Jan 2013 - Aug 2019

    Refer to the description for "Senior Researcher, Nutrition Policy & Community Health" at FRAC.

  • Senior Nutrition Policy Analyst

    • Jan 2009 - Jan 2013

    Refer to the description for "Senior Researcher, Nutrition Policy & Community Health" at FRAC.

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  Tulane University

  • New Orleans, LA

  • Nutritionist/Health Educator, ACTION!

    • 2004 - 2008
    • New Orleans, LA

    Developed, implemented, and evaluated a worksite wellness intervention for elementary school personnel to prevent and/or reduce obesity. Developed protocols, educational materials, and process evaluations for nutrition programs. Created sustainable changes to the school environment. Provided technical support and training to nutrition staff. Coordinated 24-hour dietary recall collection and monthly vending machine assessments. Developed instruments to assess dietary behaviors and worksite environments. Analyzed data to examine relationships between diet and obesity.

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  Mathematica Policy Research

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • Research Analyst

    • 2003 - 2004
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    Conducted qualitative and quantitative research on federal nutrition, welfare, and health screening programs. Organized and conducted key-informant interviews and intensive site visits. Created summary reports of interview and site visit findings, and coauthored final reports. Developed literature reviews and conducted a content review of dietary behavior questionnaires. Participated in proposal development for new projects. Performed monthly project management tasks.

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  American Cancer Society

  • Silver Spring, MD

  • Nutrition and Physical Activity Manager

    • 2002 - 2003
    • Silver Spring, MD

    Provided direction in defining, planning, marketing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition and physical activity initiatives for the Mid-Atlantic Division. Established measures of outcomes to assess performance. Developed and maintained state, regional, and national partnerships. Provided technical support and training to field staff and volunteers. Developed policies on nutrition and physical activity.