Activities in the Milken Institute School of Public Health
To develop future leaders in the field, the Center provides funds for pilot studies to faculty and predoctoral candidates working in nutrition, physical activity, obesity, and chronic disease disparities within the DC metropolitan area.
GW Public Health Seminar Series From Biology to Behavior:
A Cross-Disciplinary Discussion Surrounding Sugar & Sweetener Consumption
The Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the George Washington University (GW) Milken Institute School of Public Health, in conjunction with the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness, the GW Food Institute, and the GW Institute for Corporate Responsibility, hosted a cross-disciplinary seminar series on the topic of sugar and sweeteners. The sugar & sweetener seminar series engaged stakeholders across disciplines and focused on unanswered questions and potential unintended consequences relevant to lowering added sugar intake at the population level. The seminar series is intended to bring together contrasting views in presenting key controversies, and spur debate amongst experts in the field. Catch up on the seminar series here or listen to the GW School of Public Health's 'Healthy You Podcast' on sugar, sweeteners, the health implications of these widespread ingredients - and implications of efforts to curb their intake: The S Word_Healthy You Podcast.)
Meet the Fellows
Kate Applebaum, Associate Professor, Environment and Occupational Health. 2018 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on physical activity and kidney health in Central American agricultural workers.
Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Associate Professor, Global Health. 2017 and 2020 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into tap water drinking behaviors among Latino children and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption at Latino-serving independent restaurants. In 2018, Dr. Colón-Ramos was part of a team that developed a nutrition program evaluation course for program managers in Latin America as part of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). Publications: Formative Research to Design a Promotional Campaign to Increase Drinking Water among Central American Latino Youth in an Urban Area.
Monica Hubal, Professorial Lecturer, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Dr. Hubal’s research focuses on identifying ideal intervention strategies to regain health as well as the factors that make some people more prone to developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic disease, especially in early life.
Michael Long, Assistant Professor, Prevention and Community Health. Dr. Long conducts research at the intersection of epidemiology and quantitative policy analysis with the goal of identifying cost-effective and politically feasible policy solutions to promote community health.
Karina R. Lora, Teaching/Research Assistant Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Science. 2020 Redstone Global Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into culturally appropriate nutrition and physical activity weight-loss behavioral intervention for Central American men living in Washington, D.C.
Allison Sylvetsky Meni, Assistant Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2018 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on associations between low-calorie sweeteners, diet quality and metabolic risk in adolescents with diabetes. Publications: Consumption of Low-calorie Sweetened Beverages is Associated with Higher Total Energy and Sugar Intake Among Children, NHANES 2011-2016.
Todd A. Miller, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2016 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into the use of strength training for fat loss. Publications: Resistance training combined with diet decreases body fat while preserving lean mass independent of resting metabolic rate: a randomized trial.
Kim Robien, Associate Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2017 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on the effect of weight loss and phthalate exposure reduction on body composition among women. Dr. Robien’s research focuses on nutrition in chronic disease prevention, food access in underserved communities, environmental nutrition and sustainable food systems, and the extent to which exposure to food-borne chemicals may contribute to risk of obesity and chronic diseases.
Amira Roess, Assistant Professor, Global Health. 2016 and 2018 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into breastfeeding outcomes for WIC populations and the effect of breastfeeding on the microbiome in minority infants. In 2019, research funded by the Center was used as part of a successful grant application to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a study of infant feeding behaviors and associations with infant health outcomes. Publications: Social Support for Breastfeeding in the Era of mHealth: A Content Analysis.
Sameera Talegawkar, Associate Professor, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. 2020 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for biological stress among South Asian immigrants in the U.S. Dr. Talegawkar’s research focuses on the role of diet and other lifestyle factors on chronic disease risk in minority populations, and on age-related functional declines in older individuals.
Monique Turner, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for MPH Programs, Prevention and Community Health. 2016 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research into diabetes prevention programs for young obese maternal caregivers and their children’s health. Publications: Impact of Self-Efficacy on Risk Aversion in the Context of Surgical Weight Loss Decision Scenarios.
Aubrey Villalobos, DrPH candidate, Health Behavior. 2019 Redstone Center Pilot Grant Awardee for research on breastfeeding norms among African American women.