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Elena Serrano, MS, PhD

Professor
  • Extension Specialist
  • Director, Virginia Family Nutrition Program
  • Focus area(s): Effectiveness of food and nutrition programs and initiatives to promote nutrition security; examination of contributors to food and nutrition security
A Virginia Tech HNFE faculty member stands inside for a photo.
327 Wallace
serrano@vt.edu
540-231-3464
  • Graduate Program Track(s): Behavioral & Community Science

Education

Ph.D., Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, 2001

M.S., Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, 1997

B.S., Development Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 1989

Experience

2014 – present: Professor, Extension Specialist, Director of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

2008 – 2014: Associate Professor, Extension Specialist, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

2002 – 2008: Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

1997 – 2002: Associate Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

1991 – 1992: Project Coordinator, Land Tenure Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI

1989 – 1991: Project Assistant, EduSystems, International, Walworth, WI

Selected Major Awards

  • 2022 – Virginia Tech Alumni Award, Extension Specialist
  • 2010 – Outstanding Volunteer Award, Virginia Council, American Heart Association
  • 2007 – Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids, National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Award for Excellence in Research
  • 2007 – Virginia State Early Career Award, Epsilon Sigma Phi (The Extension Professional Organization)

Program Focus

I serve as the Director of Virginia Family Nutrition Program. The Virginia Family Nutrition Program is a program within Virginia Cooperative Extension that extends the land-grant education and outreach mission of Virginia Tech by offering a comprehensive collection of resources, educational programs, and services across the Commonwealth to improve the health of families. The motto of the Virginia Family Nutrition Program is Eat Smart, Move More.

The Virginia Family Nutrition Program has a specific focus of addressing food security and the prevention of costly chronic diseases. Our commitment to finding real solutions for our communities is showcased through a variety of programs and initiatives that impact community health.

The Virginia Family Nutrition Program has a long 50-year history of improving the lives of seniors, families, and children across Virginia.

The Virginia Family Nutrition Program offers different approaches to achieve its goals to Eat Smart, Move More, based on communities’ and partners’ needs:

  • Educational programs to empower individuals to make steps to improve health
  • Resources and assistance to partners to promote healthy eating and movement
  • Community-based initiatives to increase the availability of affordable, nutritious foods
Eat Smart, Move More

Program Focus

I currently work on research involving the identification of potential contributors to nutrition security, particularly within Virginia, as well as the evaluation of effectiveness of food and nutrition promotion programs, policies, and initiatives to address nutrition security. 

Google Scholar

Peer-Reviewed Journals

  • Houghtaling, B., Englund, T., Chen, S., Bryant, D., Pradhananga, N., Kraak, V.I., Serrano, E., Harden, S.M., Davis, G.C., & Misyak, S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-authorized retailers received a low score using the Business Impact Assessment–Obesity and Population Nutrition (BIA-Obesity) Tool to assess commitments to healthy food environments. (2022). BMC Public Health. 22(1):1225. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13624-9.
  • Young, G.C., S. Misyak, M. Ledlie Johnson, N.E. Martin, E. Serrano (2023). Assessing the SNAP Consumer Environment at Farmers Markets. J of Extension 61(1) 20.
  • DeNunzio, M., Miller, M., Chase, M., Kraak, V., Serrano, E., & Misyak, S. (2022). A Scoping Review of the Community Health Worker Model Used for Food Systems Interventions Within the United States. American Journal of Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171221125451
  • Liebe, R.A., Adams, L.M., Hedrick, V., Serrano, E.L., Porter, K.J., Cook, N.E., & Misyak, S.A. (2022). Understanding the Relationship Between Food Security and Mental Health for Food-Insecure Mothers in Virginia. Nutrients, 14(7):1491. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071491.
  • Houghtaling, B, Serrano, E, Chen, S, Kraak, VI, Harden, SM, Davis, GC, & Misyak, S. (2021). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Authorized Retailers- Perceived Costs to Use Behavioral Economic Strategies to Encourage Healthy Product Sales. Ecology of Food and Nutrition,
  • Houghtaling, B, Serrano, E, Dobson, L, Kraak, V, Harden, SM, Davis, GC, & Misyak, S. (2020). Perceptions of Rural SNAP-Authorized Food Store Owners and Managers About Healthy Product Availability. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 52(2), 171-179. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2019.09.023
  • Chen, S., Kraak, V., Price, T., Love, K., Shanks, C., & Serrano, E. (2020). Exploring Food Waste at a Residential Youth Summer Camp: A Mixed Method Approach. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2020.1806981
  • Kraak, VI Englund, T, Misyak, S, & Serrano, EL. (2017). Progress Evaluation for the Restaurant Industry Assessed by a Voluntary Marketing-Mix and Choice-Architecture Framework That Offers Strategies to Nudge American Customers toward Healthy Food Environments, 2006-2017. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 14(7). pii: E760. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14070760. 
  • Serrano E, G Davis, M Marcenelle, C Byker. Food Waste in a School Nutrition Program After Implementation of New NSLP Guidelines. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2014; 46: 406-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2014.03.009.
  • Farris A, S Misyak, K Hosig, N Atzaba-Poria, K Duffey, G Davis, E Serrano. Nutritional Comparison of Packed and School Lunches following the Implementation of the 2012-2013 National School Lunch Program Standards. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2014; 46: 406-411.

Oral Presentations

  • Misyak, S., Liebe, R., Hedrick, V., Cook, N., & Serrano, E. (2022). The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health Among Low Income, Virginia Mothers. In Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture Big Event. Blacksburg, Virginia.
  • Serrano, E., Brooks, A., Ledlie, M., Misyak, S., & Young, G. (2022). Exploring Physical Activity and Perceived Barriers among Individuals at Risk of Food Insecurity. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA). Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Serrano, E., Brooks, A., Ledlie, M., Misyak, S., & Young, G. (2022). Factors Influencing the Adoption of Physical Activity Interventions by Para-Professional Nutrition Educators. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA). Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Serrano, E. (2022). Healthy Food Access (Panelist). Virginia Nutrition Security and Health Summit. Richmond, Virginia.
  • Serrano, E., and S. Misyak (2022). Virginia Food Security Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment by the Virginia Family Nutrition Program, Virginia Department of Social Services, Department of Social Services Anti-Hunger Month Lunch and Learn Series.  

Poster Presentations

  • Serrano, E., S. Misyak, Liebe, R. (2023). Accessibility, Quality, and Selection of Nutritious Foods Differ by Food Security Status in Virginia. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA). Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Serrano, E., S. Misyak, Liebe, R. (2023). Factors that Predict Interest in Participation in Nutrition Interventions among Audiences with Low Incomes during COVID-19. International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA). Uppsala, Sweden.
  • Serrano., E., S. Sathe, Misyak, S. (2022). Access to Fresh Produce among SNAP-Eligible Virginians during COVID-19. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Serrano., E., S. Sathe, Misyak, S. (2022). Current Food Resource Management Skills Predict Interest in SNAP-Ed Education during COVID-19. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Atlanta, Georgia.