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Stella L. Volpe, PhD, RDN, ACSM-CEP, FACSM

Department Head
  • Professor
  • Focus area(s): Nutrition and exercise in the prevention of obesity and diabetes; sports nutrition
A Virginia Tech HNFE faculty member stands outside for a photo.
338 Wallace
stellalv@vt.edu
540-231-3805
  • Graduate Program Track(s): Clinical Physiology & Metabolism

Education

Ph.D., Human Nutrition and Foods, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991

M.S., Exercise Physiology/Cardiac Rehabilitation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987

B.S., Exercise Science, University of Pittsburgh, 1985

Experience

2021 – present: Affiliate Faculty, Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

2020 – present: Department Head and Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

2020 – 2023: Faculty of Health Sciences, Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH) Graduate Program, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA

2011 – 2020: Chairperson and Professor, Department of Nutrition Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

2011 – 2013: Director, Department of Nutrition Sciences Center of Excellence Laboratory (Core Laboratory Desgination in 2019), Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

2011: Founder and Initial Director, Center for Nutrition & Integrative Performance (Now called: Center for Nutrition & Performance), Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

2009 – present: Executive Committee for International Doctoral Degree in Physiology and Nutrition, Universita’ degli Studi di Roma, “Tor Vergata”, Department of Neuroscience, Human Nutrition, and Food, Rome, Italy

2009 – present: Faculty of the Physiology of Body Compartment Fellowship Program, Universita’ degli Studi di Roma, “Tor Vergata”, Department of Neuroscience, Human Nutrition, and Food, Rome, Italy

2004 – 2009: Miriam Stirl Term Endowed Chair in Nutrition (Five-year term), Division of Biobehavioral and Health Sciences,  School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

2004 – 2010: Associate Professor, Division of Biobehavioral and Health Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

2000 – 2003: Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

1997 – 2003: Director, Center for Nutrition in Sport and Human Performance, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

1994 – 2000: Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

1992 – 1995: National Institutes of Health F32 Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA

1991 – 1992: Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Selected Major Awards

  • 2023 – Selected for the USA Masters Women’s Field Hockey Squad
  • 2023 – Selected for the USA Masters Women’s Field Hockey Indoor Squad
  • 2022 – Selected for the USA Masters Women’s Field Hockey Team; represented the United States at the 2022 World Cup, Cape Town, South Africa, September-October
  • 2021 – Selected for the USA Masters Women’s Field Hockey Indoor Team to represent the United States at the 2022 Indoor World Cup, Virginia Beach, VA, February (Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
  • 2021-2022 – ACSM’s Education and Online Learning selected several of my articles from the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal for continuing education bundles
  • 2018-2019 – ACSM’s Education and Online Learning selected several of my articles from the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal for continuing education bundles
  • 2020 – Selected for the USA Masters Women’s Field Hockey Team (alternate) to represent the United States at the 2020 World Cup, Cape Town, South Africa, October (Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
  • 2019 – Selected Honorary Member, CELAFISCS (Centro de Estudos do Laboratorio de Aptidao Fiscica de Sao Caetano do Sul), Sao Paulo, Brasil, October 3, 2019
  • 2018 – Selected for the USA Masters Women’s Field Hockey Team; represented the United States at the 2018 World Cup, Barcelona, Spain, July-August
  • 2018 – MVP as Associate Editor for the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine
  • 2017 – Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists’ Distinguished Scholar Award
  • 2017 – Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award, Didactic Program in Dietetics Category
  • 2015 – Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School Distinguished Graduates Organization Award
  • 2013 – Honor Award, New England American College of Sports Medicine
  • 2009 – Distinguished Alumni Award, Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh
  • 2006 – Anne Keane Teaching Award, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
  • 2005-present – Academic Keys’ Who's Who in Health Sciences Education
  • 2003 – Teaching and Learning in the Diverse Classroom Fellow, University of Massachusetts
  • 2002-2003 – Invited Member, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine’s Panel on Dietary Reference Intakes for Electrolytes and Water

Program Focus

Dr. Volpe's research focuses on obesity and diabetes prevention using nutrition and exercise interventions, mineral supplementation, and by altering the environment to result in greater physical activity and healthy eating. She also conducts research on athletes of all levels, from recreational to professional.

Reviewed Journals

  • Q.Z. Nichols, R. Ramadoss, J.R. Stanzione, S.L. Volpe. Micronutrient supplement intakes among collegiate and masters athletes: A cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Section: Sport and Exercise Nutrition, April 6 (volume 5), 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.854442
  • J.R. Stanzione, G.A. Brooks, M.L. Bruneau, Jr., D.N. French, J.A. Nasser, S.A. Smith, S.L. Volpe. Sport specific crossover point differences during a maximal oxygen consumption test. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 7(3):1-6, 2022, doi: 10.1249/TJX.0000000000000206. Note: this manuscript was selected by the Editor-in-Chief to have an infographic published with it
  • J.R. Stanzione, J.I. Boullata, M.L. Bruneau, Jr., S.L. Volpe. The association between protein intake and lean body mass in a group of masters athletes. Journal of Nutritional Science, 11(e30):1-6, 2022, doi:10.1017/jns.2022.10
  • R. Ramadoss, J.R. Stanzione, S.L. Volpe. A comparison of substrate utilization profiles during maximal and submaximal exercise tests in Athletes. Frontiers in Psychology (Movement Science and Sport Psychology Section), doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854451, 2022
  • A.D. Gilman, J. Ensslin, J. Cullison, A. Marsteller, J. Quinlan, S.L. Volpe. Efficacy of a five-lesson nutrition education curriculum for high school students administered via Pennsylvania SNAP-Ed Programming. Journal of Child and Adolescent Health, 5(4):1-9, 2021
  • M. Naseeb, M.L. Bruneau, Jr., B.-J. Milliron, D. Sukumar. G.D. Foster. S.A. Smith, S.L. Volpe. Changes in dietary magnesium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle school students: Using data from the HEALTHY Study. Journal of Nutrition, July 27:nxab272. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab272. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34313771, 2021
  • M. Naseeb, B.-J. Milliron, M.L. Bruneau Jr., D. Sukumar, G.D. Foster, S.A. Smith, S.L. Volpe. Dietary magnesium intake in relation to body mass index and glycemic indices in middle school students from the HEALTHY Study. Nutrition and Health, 27(2):211-219, doi: 10.1177/0260106020982345. Epub 2021 Feb 2. PMID: 33530870, 2021
  • J.R. Stanzione, N. Dardarian, S.L. Volpe. Body composition changes after one year in professional male ice hockey players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, doi: 10.1055/a-1179-6511. Epub 2020 Jul 21. PMID: 32693429, 2020
  • M.L. Nicolo, C.W. Compher, P.A. Shewokis, J.I. Boullata, D. Sukumar, S. Smith, S.L. Volpe. Anthropometric predictors of hemoglobin A1c among adults: NHANES 2003 to 2004 and 2013 to 2014. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 4(21):242-247, 2019
  • M.L. Nicolo, P.A. Shewokis, J.I. Boullata, D. Sukumar, S. Smith, C.W. Compher, S.L. Volpe. Sedentary behavior time as a predictor of hemoglobin A1c among adults, 40 to 59 years of age, living in the United States: NHANES 2003 to 2004 and 2013 to 2014. Nutrition and Health, 25(4): 275-279, doi: 10.1177/0260106019870436. Epub 2019 Sep 25. PMID: 31552794, 2019

Oral Presentations

  • Publishing Your Research: Perspectives from an Editor-in-Chief (of Current Nutrition Reports); 5th International Conference on Food, Nutrition, Health and Lifestyle 2023 (NUTRICON 2023), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 25, 2023 (Invited, presented virtually)
  • Tools for Diet and Physical Activity Interventions to Improve Children's Health (Tutorial Lecture); presented with: Sibylle Kranz, John Sirard; ACSM Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 31-June 2, 2023
  • Magnesium and Muscle Function; Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI)-ACSM Pre-conference, Translating Research into Nutrition Strategies to Support the Athlete’s Mind, Gut and Body, Denver, CO, May 30 (Invited)
  • Food-based Supplements and Performance, XVI International Congress on Functional Nutrition, Sao Paulo, Brasil, September 14-17, 2022 (Invited)
  • Vitamins and Minerals in Exercise and Performance, XVI International Congress on Functional Nutrition, Sao Paulo, Brasil, September 14-17, 2022 (Invited)
  • Exercising for Mental Health, Happify Health (Twill) International, Webinar, August 16, 2022 (Invited, presented virtually)
  • Childhood Obesity in America, European Society of Medicine General Assembly, Madrid, Spain, August 4-6, 2022 (Hybrid conference; presented virtually) (Invited, presented virtually)
  • Food-based Supplements for Performance; NUTR 494: Sports Nutrition Webinar Series at Arizona State University, March 1, 2022, this has a national and international audience (Invited, presented virtually)
  • Food-based Supplements for Performance; School of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore Pakistan, February 23, 2022 (Invited, presented virtually)
  • Fueling the Athlete for Top Performance, ACSM’s International Day of Excellence in Sports Medicine, Based in Argentina, but available to all of South America, October 22, 2021 (Invited, presented virtually)

Published Abstracts

  • Micronutrients as Predictors for Markers of Bone Health in Athletes. N. Stallard, R. Ramadoss, K.L. Osterberg, S.L. Volpe. ACSM Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 30-June 2, 2023
  • Physical Function Disorders are Negatively Associated with Physical and Psychological, but not Social Relationship Health Domains. L.L. de Souza Gonçalves, L.M. Pereira da Silva, C. Mucciolo1, S.L. Volpe, V. Raso. ACSM Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 30-June 2, 2023
  • Micronutrients as Predictors for Markers of Bone Health in Athletes. N. Stallard, R. Ramadoss, K. Osterberg, S.L. Volpe. Southeast Chapter of the ACSM Conference, Greenville, SC, February 23-25
  • R.K. Ramadoss, J. Stanzione, S.L. Volpe. Effect of Acute Feeding Status on Substrate Oxidation Rates in Runners and Combat Athletes During Submaximal Exercise Tests. Presented at the ACSM Annual Meeting, May 31 to June 4, 2022, San Diego, CA. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 54(5), 2022. Note: this abstract was awarded best abstract from the Nutrition Interest Group at the ACSM Conference
  • R. Ramadoss, Q.Z. Nichols, S.L. Volpe. Dietary Intake Patterns of Omega Fatty Acid Profiles in Athletes. American Society for Nutrition Conference, June 7 to 10, 2021 (Virtual conference due to COVID-19)
  • Q.Z. Nichols, R. Ramadoss, S.L. Volpe. Total Energy and Macronutrient Intakes in Masters Athletes. American Society for Nutrition Conference, June 7 to 10, 2021 (Virtual conference due to COVID-19)
  • D. Nehring, M. Bruneau, Jr., J.R. Stanzione, R.K. Ramadoss, S.L. Volpe. Calcium-magnesium Ratio in Female and Male Collegiate and Masters Athletes of Various Sport Types. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, June 1 to 5, 2021 (Virtual conference due to COVID-19)
  • D. de Melo Behrens, S.L. Volpe, V. Raso. Most Clinical Studies Do Not Report FDA Recommendations for Endpoints in NAFLD/NASH. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, June 1 to 5, 2021 (Virtual conference due to COVID-19)
  • I.D. Hoover-Grinde, S.L. Volpe, V. Raso. Systematic Review of Supplementation Type and Dosage Used in Clinical Trials. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, June 1 to 5, 2021 (Virtual conference due to COVID-19)
  • A. Gilman, K. Schofield, J. Cullison, J. Ensslin, S.L. Volpe. Feasibility of a Teach-the-Teacher Model for the Provision of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Direct Education. American Public Health Association National Conference, San Francisco, CA, October 24-28, 2020