- GGNB Alumni
Class of 2019
Major Professor: Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr
Research Interests: Child nutrition, school nutrition policy, dietary assessment, dietary behavior
Bio: I decided to attend UC Davis because I wanted to work with researchers well-versed in community and school-based nutrition programming, while also developing an integrative understanding of nutrition science. Before starting the PhD program at UC Davis, I completed my master's in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Vermont. My master's thesis focused on evaluating dietary assessment methods used to estimate children's food intake in the school environment. Interested in continuing with research in school nutrition programming, projects in Dr. Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr's, including ongoing evaluation of a school-based intervention called the Shaping Healthy Choices Program, made the GGNB a very natural fit.
My doctoral research focuses on understanding social and environmental factors that shape children's food choices at school. This includes the development and application of objective dietary assessment methods for measuring children's food intake. Most recently, this has included collaborations with researchers in Human Development to understand the roles of children's parents and peers on food availability and intake during school. After completing my PhD, I envision a career in either an academic or government setting that combines research, teaching, and community outreach.
Publications:
Taylor JC, Yon BA, Johnson RK. Digital imaging is a reliable and valid measure of school children’s fruit and vegetable consumption. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014;114(9):1359-66.
Amin SA, Yon BA, Taylor JC, Johnson RK. When fruits and vegetables are optional, elementary school children choose processed over whole offerings. J Child Nutr Manag. 2014;38(1).
Taylor JC, Johnson RK. Farm to School as a strategy to increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption: research and recommendations. Nutrition Bulletin. 2013;38:70-79.