Event

Talks at Twelve

Adolescence is an important stage in life given that many health behaviors are developed during this period and transcend into adulthood. There is a critical need for programming for adolescents from racial/ethnic and low socioeconomic backgrounds as these populations are at high risk for poor nutrition and poor obesity-related health outcomes. The question we must ask ourselves is how do we create thoughtful programming for populations that have been historically disenfranchised in the U.S. This presentation will address ways in which we can raise the standards for how we create inclusive nutrition and health programming for culturally diverse adolescents in urban communities.

Tashara Leak is Lois and Mel Tukman Assistant Professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University. As a health disparities researcher, Dr. Leak conducts interventions that address socioeconomic and environmental influences on food choices, while drawing upon her expertise in mixed methods and community-based research. More specifically, she designs innovative and culturally-relevant interventions that aim to improve dietary behaviors among impoverished, minority youth that reside in urban communities. Thus, her research lies at the intersection of poverty, race/ethnicity, nutrition and health (e.g., obesity and type 2 diabetes). Understanding and intervening on health disparities is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. As such, the majority of Dr. Leak’s research involves collaborators from diverse training backgrounds (e.g., economics, sociology, food science, business marketing, technology etc.). She is deeply committed to conducting research that informs public health programming and policy. As such, the majority of Dr. Leak’s research studies have a clearly identified plan for translation from the very beginning.

BCTR Talks at Twelve are free and open to all. Lunch will be served.
Parking is available on Garden Avenue, in the Hoy Garage or in various Parkmobile lots. For further parking information, please visit any visitors booth or find info online here.