Scholarly Presentations

  • Kentucky Renal Dietitians, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
    Plant- Based Diets (PBD) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) presentation
    Lexington, TN, March 29, 2018
  • Tennessee Board Association
    Healthy Eating: An Integrative Approach
    Kingsport, TN June 2017
  • Plant-Based Prevention Of Disease (P-POD) Conference Panel Chair on Round Table
    Lifestyle Medicine: A Healing Pathway
    Albuquerque, NM May 2017
  • Plant-Based Prevention Of Disease (P-POD) Conference
    Raleigh, NC May 2016
  • Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine, Mind Body Happy Hour Reception
    The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo
    Atlanta, GA October 2014
  • Research and Practice Innovation Session: Building a foundation for interprofessional- education (IPE) between dietetic students and dental hygiene students at East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
    The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo
    Houston, TX October 2013
  • Building a foundation for interprofessional-education (IPE) between dietetic students and dental hygiene students at East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
    East Tennessee State University
    December 2012
  • Comparisons of Accuracy of Nutrition Knowledge of College Students With and Without Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes
    McNair Summer Research Symposium and Poster Presentation
    Middle Tennessee State University
    August 2010
  • Observations of nutrition knowledge level in Egyptian school children poster presentation
    Tennessee Dietetic Association Annual Meeting Knoxville, TN
    April 2010
  • Eating Behaviors Related to Type II Diabetes Among College Students Annual Scholars Week
    Middle Tennessee State University March 2010
  • Eating Behaviors and Type II Diabetes as Related to College Students
    18th Annual Social Science Symposium
    Middle Tennessee State University
    November 2009
  • A Pilot Study: Comparison of Eating Behaviors of College Students Who Self-Identify as At-Risk for Type II Diabetes and Same-Sex Cohorts Without Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes Using an Ecological Momentary Data Collection Process.
    • China- Beijing Normal University, Northwest Normal University, August 2009
    • Research Symposium, Middle Tennessee State University, July 2009
    • SOEPP Conference Atlanta, GA, June 2009

Presentations and Teaching Experience

Eating Disorder Awareness Week, East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN

February 26, 2014
Presented information on eating disorders, disordered eating, treatment and signs/symptoms on behalf of A Place of Healing, An Eating Disorder Resource Center, Johnson City, TN to the Feminist Majority Leadership Association (FMLA) at ETSU.

Nutrition and Heart Disease, East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN

February 17, 2014
Co-presented nutrition education and preventative lifestyle information related to heart disease along with William Joyner, MD and Brian Cross, PhD to the Association of Interprofessional Healthcare Students (AIHS).

Food and Pain, The Health Resources Center Johnson City, TN

January 2014
Co-presented information on nutrition as related to inflammation, pain, and health to local community members with colo-rectal surgeon and integrative physician Connie Pennington, MD.

The Health Resources Center Kingsport, TN

December 2012
Conducted a cooking demonstration and nutrition education seminar promoting vegetable consumption to the Kingsport community; presented a recipe, prepared the menu and provided samples, discussed benefits of vegetables, economically friendly ways to increase consumption; additionally provided resources and answers to the audience’s nutrition and health inquiries

The Nave Center Feeding Clinic for Autism and ASD China: the culture, food, and people

Elizabethton, TN
July 2012
Presented a “cultural” themed presentation on China to eight autistic children at the feeding clinic; provided appropriately traditional and textured foods such as noodles, rice, vegetables; taught fun facts about the country and instruction on using chop sticks to eat.

Little Angels Daycare Center Bristol, TN

March 2012
As part of the Kids Eat Right Campaign, we presented the Family Champions “no-recipe” ingredients dinner idea to parents with a preparation demonstration, handouts, and group discussion.

Keystone Community HeadStart Johnson City, TN

March 2012
As part of the Kids Eat Right Campaign, we presented the Family Champions “no-recipe” ingredients dinner idea to parents with a preparation demonstration, handouts, and group discussion.

Johnson City Senior Center Johnson City, TN

March 2012
Presented poster on heart health, cardiovascular disease, and prevention through nutrition, activities, and awareness. Conducted a cooking demonstration incorporating tofu and soy; taught about benefits of soy in heart health, and ease of simple ingredient recipes.

Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group Employee Health Fair Johnson City, TN

March 2012
Presented information on MyPlate, demonstrated nutrition facts through trivia game, answered employee questions and gave out recipes and handouts promoting better nutrition.

The Nave Center Feeding Clinic for Autism and ASD Brainfood: feed the brain, nourish the body, Elizabethton, TN

December 2011
Presented to ten Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) at the Nave Center Feeding Clinic on the impact of proper nutrition, role of specific vitamins and minerals, and importance of a balanced diet for children with autism; discussed how adequate nutrition can enhance the children’s growth, learning, development, and quality of life.

Healthy Snacking and Eating for Adolescents Johnson City, TN

September 2011
Co-presented with three ETSU colleagues at Woodridge Hospital in conjunction with promotion of the Kids Eat Right campaign volunteer toolkit on healthy snack options.

Nutrition Around the Globe San Diego, CA

September 2011
Presented at the student forum at the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition on research, cultural awareness and nutrition related activities around the globe.

Faith Family Clinic “Journey to Health” Program Nashville, TN

February-April 2011
Co-presented, two hour sessions twice a month, and aided RD in basic nutrition education and diabetes presentation.

Sam Davis Historical Home and Museum Smyrna TN

July 2010
Taught two days of Science and Nature camp to ten children ages 8-12 about nutrient content of milk and composition of bread, complete with experiments and snacks. Also lead an exercise activity of dance inspired by Zumba and a “dancing” chili pepper.

Hobgood Elementary School Murfreesboro, TN

March 2010
Taught nutrition lesson to parents and sixth grade students involved with garden planting and science curriculum.

Hobgood Elementary School Murfreesboro, TN

February 2010
Taught thirty children ages 11-13, benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, sampled vegetables being planted in garden, and healthier substitutions in favorite foods.

St. John’s International School Cairo, Egypt

December 2009
Taught seventy-five children ages 9-14, nutrition and healthier food choices on a daily basis according to what is available to them.

Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN

October 2009
Screening of documentary Food Inc. and panel discussion in conjunction with Raiders Against Animal Cruelty and Youth American Revolution Associations.

XO Communications Nashville, TN

October 2009
Health Fair Promotion and information booth in conjunction with Allison Nutrition Consulting.

Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN

October 2009
Freshman orientation class nutrition lesson

Smyrna Middle School Nutrition Lessons Smyrna, TN

February, March, and April 2009
In conjunction with the UT Extension Program and Beth Minatra, followed nutrition lesson plans, projects and participatory demonstrations.

Segell High School Murfreesboro, TN

March 2009
Sports Nutrition, Enhancement and “Eat Right” Promotional Lesson

Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN

April 2009
Core Cadet/ROTC Nutrition Lesson