Molly K. Parker, PhD, RDN
- Focus area(s): Dietary assessment methodology; sustainable food systems; social determinants of health
Education
PhD, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, 2023
Dissertation: Development and Evaluation of the Planetary Health Diet Index for the United States and Assessment of Dietary Constructs Associated with Sustainability
Graduate Certificate, Public Health, Virginia Tech, 2022
Graduate Certificate, Future Professoriate, Virginia Tech, 2021
MS, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, 2019
Thesis: The Development and Evaluation of the Healthy Beverage Index for Children and Adolescents
BS, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, 2018
Experience
2023 – present: Collegiate Assistant Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
2018 – 2023: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
2019 – 2021: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Selected Major Awards
- 2017 – Carol B. Papillon Dietetic Scholarship
- 2016 – Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Hokie Spirit Scholarship
Program Focus
My research centers on developing and implementing dietary assessment methodology and assessing sustainable dietary behaviors, adherence to dietary recommendations, and health disparities in order to promote the adoption of dietary and health behaviors that can prevent non-communicable diseases and enhance planetary health.
Oral Presentations
- Parker MK. “Sustainable Diets: An Introduction.” Invited speaker, Southwest Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sustainable Diets Webinar Series, February 2023.
Poster Presentations
- Parker MK, Misyak SA, Gohlke JM, Hedrick VE. Developing and Evaluating the Planetary Health Diet Index for the United States to Measure American Adherence to a Sustainable Dietary Pattern. International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (ICDAM). Limerick, Ireland. June 2023.
- Howes EM, Parker MK, Misyak SA, Hedrick VE. The Impact of Weight Bias and Stigma on Energy Misreporting in 24-hour Dietary Recalls. International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (ICDAM). Limerick, Ireland. June 2023.
- Parker MK, Davy BM, and Hedrick VE. The Development and Evaluation of the Healthy Beverage Index for U.S. Children and Adolescents. Presented virtually at the International Conference on Diet and Activity Methods (ICDAM). Ede, Netherlands, February 2021.