Principal Investigator: Kathryn Fiorella

Co-PI: Laura Smith, Kate Dickin, Elizabeth Fox, Gen Meredith, Karla Hanson, Lara Parrilla

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 

Changes to US and global food systems are urgently needed to address the poor health outcomes and inequities current food systems produce. The goal of this National Needs Fellowship (NNF) Program is to develop outstanding and diverse food systems scientists to lead the development of sustainable, equitable, and health-promoting US food systems.

Project objectives include:
1) Establish an engaged, interdisciplinary food systems and health curriculum. 2) Recruit and support 6 students from underrepresented populations as Transforming Food Systems Fellows in Cornell University’s Master of Public Health program.

To accomplish our goals and objectives within the five-year project, our overview of plans includes interdisciplinary, experiential curricular opportunities; mentored student practicums and capstones with partner organizations; and creation of an alumni advisory council and deepening of institutional partnerships to recruit diverse fellows.

Our project is relevant to NNF objectives to train master’s students and increase the number, quality and diversity of students while developing leadership skills and integrating social and behavioral sciences and experiential learning. We will address USDA Strategic Goals 2 and 4, as described in the RFA, and 7 by focusing on training that links food systems and health to reduce foodborne illness, improve access to nutritious food, and support healthy dietary choices.

Our project will have a meaningful national impact. In addition to training the 6 Transforming Food System Fellows, by establishing an experiential curriculum and refining strategies to recruit and support diverse students, we will ultimately train many additional graduate students as future food systems leaders.