Melanie Hingle, PhD, MPH, RD

Melanie Hingle, PhD, MPH, RD

Melanie Hingle, PhD, MPH, RD

Associate Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, The University of Arizona
  • M.P.H., Epidemiology, The University of Arizona
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, #914846
  • B.S., Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of Arizona

COURSES TAUGHT:

  • NSC 540: Nutrition Interventions: Fall 2021.
  • NSC 311: Systems Approach to Obesity Prevention. Summer, Fall 2020.
  • NSC 395B: Introduction to Culinary Medicine. Fall 2020.
  • NSC 170C2: The Science of Fermentation: When Bad Food Turns Good (3 units). Fall 2018.
  • NSC 260: Scientific Literacy and Nutrition Communication (3 units). Spring 2017 (Special Topics course).
  • NSC 561: Communicating Nutritional Sciences (1 unit). Spring 2014-2020.
  • Honors Colloquium: Are You What You Eat? (1 unit). Fall 2015.
  • Honors Colloquium: Regional Food Systems and Food Security (1 unit). Fall 2012.

RESEARCH PROJECTS & INTERESTS:

I am a nutrition scientist, public health researcher, and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with experience and training in medical nutrition therapy, health promotion, behavioral sciences, and related research methodologies. My work is conducted at the intersection of nutritional sciences research and public health practice, where I seek to understand predictors and consequences of behavioral risk factors associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes and apply this knowledge to the design and delivery of lifestyle behavior modification interventions for children and families at risk of diet-sensitive disease. I am committed to interdisciplinary and team science, and my collaborations and work reflects this commitment. The overall goal of my research is the prevention of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders, with an emphasis on youth and families. Three aims focus my research program activities: (1) understand predictors and correlates of the lifestyle behaviors associated with energy balance and diabetes risk, including diet and physical activity behavior; (2) develop and test new approaches to support participants in modifying lifestyle behaviors associated with diet-sensitive disease risk; and (3) integrate research findings with clinical and community practice, while identifying and addressing potential barriers that impede implementation at scale.