Department of Nutritional Sciences (NUTR) Faculty Directory

Leann L. Birch, Ph.D.

Professor

California State University, Long Beach, A.B., 1971, Psychology

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, A.M., 1973, Psychology

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Ph.D., 1975, Psychology

Research Interests:

Development of eating behaviors and obesity in infants, children and adolescents

llb15@psu.edu

Kristi Branstetter

Food Lab Instructor in Nutritional Sciences

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, Colorado - Culinary Arts Degree - June 2004

Research Interests:

Health benefits of vegetarian, vegan and raw diets.

kub23@psu.edu

Kristine Clark, Ph.D., RD

Director Sports Nutrition; Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1992

Research Interests:

Sports Nutrition

klc5@psu.edu

Mary Dean Coleman Kelly, Ph.D., RD

Didactic Program Director and Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

MS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests:

Technology and dietary behavior change; Weight Loss;Bone Health

mdc15@psu.edu

Rebecca L. Corwin, Ph.D., RD

Professor of Nutritional Neuroscience

Ph.D., University of Chicago (Chicago), 1989

Research Interests:

Behavioral neurobiology of binge eating and fat intake.

rxc13@psu.edu

Brenda Eissenstat, MS, RD

Instructor

M.S., Utah State University (1986)

Research Interests:

Dietetics Education

bre2@psu.edu

Michael H. Green, Ph.D.

Professor

Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley), 1973

Research Interests:

Vitamin A metabolism

Tracer kinetics/mathematical modeling

Lipoprotein metabolism

Lipid absorption

Vitamin A delivery to milk

mhg@psu.edu

Gordon Jensen, MD, Ph.D.

Professor and Head

PhD, Cornell Univ, 1981

M.D., Cornell Univ. 1984

Research Interests:

Nutritional concerns of older persons.
Nutrition screening for risk in elderly populations
Obesity and function in older persons.
Inflammation in Nutrition and Medicine.

glj1@psu.edu

Marie Y. Kamp, MBA, RD

Dietetic Internship Director and Instructor

M.B.A. Oaklahoma City University

Research Interests:

Organizational change in food service operations due to computerization

myk2@psu.edu

Shannon L. Kelleher, Ph.D.

Associate Professor Nutritional Sciences, Surgery and Cell & Molecular Physiology

Ph.D., Nutrition, University of California, Davis

Research Interests:

The role of maternal genetics and diet on mammary gland function and breast health. We focus on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms which regulate zinc metabolism in breast cells during lactation and how these mechanisms are dysregulated in breast cancer.

slk39@psu.edu

Kathleen L. Keller, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (2002)

Research Interests:

We study eating behaviors in young children, in particular, how do they develop and how are they related to risk for obesity later in life. We are using techniques such as brain imaging and genetic screening to provide insight into the biological underpinnings of eating behavior and food preferences in children. Also, we are researching the impact of food marketing and branding on these eating behaviors.

Eating behaviors in children
Neural mechanisms of taste preference and eating behaviors in children
Food marketing and childhood obesity
Genetic and neural influences in taste in children

klk37@psu.edu

Shawnee M. Kelly, MS, RD

Instructor

M.S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2005

Research Interests:

Dietetics Education

Geriatric Nutrition

Nutrition Assessment

smc28@psu.edu

Lynn Parker Klees, MA, RD, CDE, LDN

Instructor

M.A. Oakland University, 1983

Research Interests:

Insulin Resistance

Gestational Diabetes

Technology and Diabetes

Eating Disorders

lgp2@psu.edu

Katarzyna (Kasia) Kordas, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Research Interests:

My research interests focus on the independent and combined effects of micronutrient deficiencies and environmental exposures on children’s health. Nutritional deficiencies and heavy metal exposures are rarely studied together, yet environmental pollution is a growing problem globally due to increased industrial activity. My work combines the disciplines of nutrition, environmental health, and child development to understand whether children with micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of heavy metals than well-nourished children, and whether interventions that include nutritional components can safeguard children against metal toxicity.

kxk48@psu.edu

Penny M. Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., RD

Distinguished Professor of Nutrition

Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1978

Research Interests:

The effects of diet on established and emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

pmk3@psu.edu

Barbara Lohse, PhD, RD, LDN

Associate Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences Principal Investigator for Evaluation, Program Development and Policy for Pennsylvania SNAP-Ed and the NEEDS Center.

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994

Research Interests:

Eating Competence, including measurement validation and intervention assessment

Nutrition Education methodologies

Problem-based Learning and Learning Technologies, such as web and digital photo receiver

Complementary and Alternative Nutrition issues

Nutrition education for low-income audiences Survey development and nutrition education impact study design

lohseb@psu.edu

Laura E. Murray-Kolb, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, 2003

Research Interests:

Iron Status

lem118@psu.edu

Shelly M. Nickols-Richardson, Ph.D., RD

Professor

Ph.D., The University of Georgia, 1998

Research Interests:

Impact of weight loss, weight loss diets, and restrained eating on bone mineral density and bone metabolism.

Interaction of nutrient intake and resistance training on bone mineral density, bone quality, and bone metabolism across the life span.

smn13@psu.edu

Jill Patterson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1979

Research Interests:

Nutrition education and outreach.

Materials development in a variety of settings and target populations.

Process, formative, and summative evaluation of nutrition education materials.

Development and evaluation of web-based learning in young adults.

jxp54@psu.edu

Claudia K. Probart, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1987

Research Interests:

Psychosocial aspects of food decision making behavior

Nutrition and health marketing theory and practice

Gender issues in consumer nutrition behavior

Nutrition and health communication for special population groups, including the aged, athletes, children, adolescents

Worksite nutrition intervention for cancer risk reduction

International Nutrition Education

Cultural, social and scientific aspects of the Mediterranean Diet.

ckp1@psu.edu

Connie J. Rogers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Occupant of the Broadhurst Career Development Professorship for the Study of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

M.P.H., The University of Pittsburgh, 2003

Ph.D., The University of Pittsburgh, 1998

Research Interests:

My research focuses on the role of changes in energy balance and related nutritional factors on inflammation, immune regulation and cancer risk using both animal models and human subjects. One focus area of the lab is to evaluate the biological impact of obesity on inflammatory mediators and anti-tumor immune mechanisms, and the downstream consequences of obesity-induced changes in immune processes on gastrointestinal and breast cancer incidence and development. A second focus area is to understand the mechanisms by which physical activity modulates immune function, and to determine if these changes impact cancer risk. In particular, we are interested in reducing the pro-inflammatory environment of obesity and reversing the obesity-induced deficits in anti-tumor immune mechanisms using physical activity, and gaining a better understanding of the biological mechanisms mediating these effects.

cjr102@psu.edu

Barbara J. Rolls, Ph.D.