Divya Patel (2020-2024)
Graduate Research Assistant
Assistant Lab Director (2021-current)
First Major Project title: Effect of Early Care and Education Intervention on head Start and Venter-Based Program Menu Quality
Second Major Project title: Accuracy and Reliability of Parent-Measured Weight and Height in Preschool Children with/without Virtual Researcher-Assistance
Dissertation project title: TBD
Ruth Rasmussen (2018 - 2022)
First major project title: The Relationship of Dietary Access and Parental Feeding Practices on the Dietary Intake of Children
Dissertation title: Comparison of Traditional & Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation on Biologies & Behavioral Outcomes
Bethany Williams (2017-2020)
Graduate Research Assistant
Assistant Lab Director (2017-2020)
First major project title: Influence of Parenting Style and Children’s Health-Enhancing Behaviors on Children’s Adiposity
Second major project title: Assessment of Nutrition Practices and Barriers Across CACFP and Non-CACFP Programs in Varying Childcare Arrangements
Dissertation Title: Association Between Health-Enhancing Community Environment and Early Childhood Education Classroom Health Practices
Chelsea Smith Kracht (2015 - 2018)
Assistant Lab Director (2016-2017)
Graduate Research Assistant
First major project title: Association of Parental Anxiety and Depression and Parental Feeding and Obesogenic Parenting Practices
Dissertation Title: Sibling Influence on Subsiding Behaviors Related to Obesity
Michelle Dennison-Farris, PhD, RD (2012-2016)
First major project title: Assessment of Sugar Sweetened Beverage Intake, Physical Activity Behaviors, and BMI in Native American Children in Oklahoma
Second major project title: Obesogenic Behaviors and Depression in Native American Preadolescent Children
Dissertation Title: Association Between Depressive Symptoms, Obesegenic Behaviors, and Cardiometabolic Health of Preadolescent Children
Katy Swyden, MS, RD (2013-2016)
Assistant Lab Director (2015 - 2016)
Graduate Research Assistant (2013 - 2015)
First major project title: Relationship Between Parental Concern and Perception of Child Weight and Obesogenic Parenting Practices
Second major project title: Association Between Maternal Stress, Work Status and Feeding Practices Among Preschool Children
Dissertation Title: Family Structure as Moderator of Family Meal Frequency: 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health
Zohreh Shariati (2023-2025)
Thesis Title: Fruit and Vegetable Preparation Style in Oklahoma Family Child Care Homes
Catherine Oberpriller (2021-2024)
Thesis title: Interactive Cooking Class Effect on Cooking Self-Efficacy and Stage of Change
Zeke Kresie, MS, RD (2019-2021)
Thesis title: Farmers Market Use and Fruit & Vegetable Intake Among SNAP Participants
Emily Stinner, MS (2018 - 2020)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: Oklahoma Family Child Care Home Nutrition Environment & Food Served & Consumed
Colette Vartanian, MS, RD (2017-2019)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: The Maternal Factor: The Influence of Maternal Health and Behavior on Family Health Practices
Holly Davis, MS, RD (2018 - 2020)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: Grocery Store Access and Quality Relationship with Family Child Care Homes Provider Nutrition Self-Efficacy, Knowledge and Fresh Produce Service
Sarah Patel, MS, RD (2018-2020)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: Influences of Providers' Nutrition Knowledge and Self-Efficacy on the Nutrition Policies and Practices of Oklahoma Family Child Care Homes
Hope Hetrick, MS, RD (2018-2020)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: Menu Quality and CACFP Compliance in Family Child Care Homes in Oklahoma
Melissa Henniger, MS, RD (2018-2020)
Thesis title: Assessing Food Security and Food Pantry Needs on an Academic Health Campus
Catherine Grantham, MS, RD (2017-2019)
Thesis title: A Study of the Food Desert and Food Swamp Status of Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes in the State of Oklahoma
Sara Fortin-Miller, MS, RD (2017-2019)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: The Effect of Food Desert and Food Swamp Status on Family Child Care Home Meal Quality
Kaysha Sleet, MS, RD (2017-2019)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis title: Teaching Teachers: The Impact of Staff Feeding Behaviors Training on Staff Feeding Behaviors in Rural Tribally-Affiliated Early Care and Education Centers
Ashley Brice, MS, RD (2015-2017)
Thesis Title: Family Child Care Home Provider Experiences with Child Nutrition
Devon Walker, RD, MS (2015-2017)
Graduate Research Assistant
Study Coordinator, Obesity Prevention Action Plan
Thesis Title: Obesity Prevention in Early Childhood: Statewide Assessment and Development of Action Plan
Diana Wiley, MS (2014 - 2016)
Project Title: Integration of Nutrition Education into Interdisciplinary Preschool Program of Children with Communication Disorders
Alexandria Benear, MS, RD (2013-2015)
Thesis Title: Preschooler Physical Activity and Sedentary Time and Access to Outdoors and TV at Child Care
Megan Krampe, MS , RD(2013-2015)
Thesis Title: Difference in Dietary Intake at Child Care by Age, Sex, & Obesity Status
Alicia Nelson, MS, MD (2014-2016)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis Title: Difference in Food Consumption Between Child Care and Home in Young Children
Katherine Anundson, MS, RD (2014-2016)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis Title: The Role of Staff Behaviors on Dietary Intake in Young Children
Andrea Knowlton, MS, RD (2012-2014)
Graduate Research Assistant
Study Center Liason: Evaluation of Classroom Assessments for Obesogenic Environments at Preschool
Thesis Title: The Association Between the Home Media Environment, Food Consumption, and Child Health
Joshua New, MS, RD (2013-2014)
Thesis Title: Association Between Motor Development Screening and Physical Activity Level in Preschool Children.
Cassie Veal, MS, PhD, RD (2012-2014)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis Title: Convergent Validity of Physical Activity Devices in Ambulatory Adults with Unilateral Transtibial Amputation
Leslie K. Sitton, MS, RD (2011-2013)
Measurement Coordinator: Child Care Influence on Health Outcomes in American Indian Preschoolers
Thesis Title: Body Fat and Dietary Fat: Effect on Postprandial Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Adolescents
Ruth Adamiec, MS, RD (2011-2013)
Study Center Liaison: Child Care Influence on Health Outcomes in American Indian Preschoolers
Thesis Title: Assessing the Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake of Children in Child Care Centers
Liz S. Ramey, MS, RD (2010-2012)
Study Coordinator: Family Decision Making and Obesogenic Behaviors
Study Co-Coordinator: Sitting versus Light Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Influence of a High Fat Meal
Thesis Title: Family Attitudes and Beliefs Related to Family Dinners
Andrea M. Sellmeyer, MS, RD (2010-2012)
Thesis Title: Family Physical Activity: Evidence from Family Interviews
Ashley E. Anderson, MS, RD (2010-2012)
Study Co-Coordinator: Sitting versus Light Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Influence of a High Fat Meal
Thesis Title: High Fat Diet and Endothelial Function in Adolescents
Ashley M. Frampton, MS, RD (2010-2012)
Study Coordinator: Physical Activity During Pregnancy and Health Outcomes in Infants, Assessment of menus in Oklahoma child care centers
Thesis Title: Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Health Outcomes in Infants
Lauren N. Outhier, MS, RD (2011-2012)
Thesis Title: Feeding practices and healthy eating support in urban and rural childcare centers
Kellie B. May, MS, RD (2010-2012)
Study Coordinator: Assessment of Obesogenic Policies in Oklahoma Child Care Centers
Thesis Title: Staff Education and Healthy Eating in Child Care Centers
Mary Beth Mitchell, MS, RD (2009-2011)
Graduate Research Assistant
Thesis Title: Eating Patterns, Physical Activity, and TV Viewing in Children
Emma Kasahara (2022-2024)
Graduate Research Assistant
Caleigh Plymale (2020-2022)
Graduate Research Assistant
Alexa Noller (2020-2022)
Graduate Research Assistant
Emily Helms (2020-2022)
Graduate Research Assistant
Bryce Wentzell (2020-2022)
Graduate Research Assistant
Abigail Lange (2019-2021)
Project title: Predictors of Food Insecurity on an Academic Health Campus
Madeline VanCuren (2019-2021)
Graduate Research Assistant
Linda Herrera (2019-2021)
Graduate Research Assistant
Quena’ Johnson (2019-2021)
Graduate Research Assistant
Suzy Morris (2020)
Graduate Research Assistant
Cady Merchant (2017-2018)
Graduate Research Assistant
Sukanya Bhattacharya (2018-2019)
High School Volunteer Intern
Megan Kish (2017-2018)
Project Title: Environmental Health in Family Child Care Homes
Seerat Nasir (2015)
Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources Summer Scholar
Project Title: Difference in Home Food Availability Based on Child Weight Status
Chelsea Smith (2014-2015)
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Thesis title: Influence of Ethnicity on Obesity, Physical Activity and Dietary Intake of Young Children in Child Care
Chelsea LaTorre (2013)
University of Oklahoma, Community Counseling
Project Title: Role of Family Structure in Obesogenic Behaviors
Colleen Hobbs (2012-2014)
University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science
Thesis Title: Daycare Directors’ Child Outdoor Playtime Policy during Varying Weather Conditions