Dr. Marissa McElrone is an Assistant Professor in the MPH program at UTC in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She earned her PhD in Nutritional Sciences (emphasis in Community Nutrition) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. She also completed a dietetic internship while at UTK and holds Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentials. Dr. McElrone’s research focuses on exploring and addressing cultural, socioecological, and behavioral factors related to disparities in food security and nutrition equity among diverse, marginalized and under-resourced populations (e.g. refugees, immigrants, low-income communities) through community-based interventions and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change approaches aimed to promote healthful food access. She is currently working on collaborative community projects with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and Neigh’tions (a refugee-serving nonprofit). In her free time, you can likely find Dr. McElrone mountain biking, paddling, trail running, or hiking around the Chattanooga area.