JIGNA M. DHAROD, PhD Department of Nutrition The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC 27412 Phone: (336) 334-9708 Fax: (336) 334-4129 E-mail Address: jmdharod@uncg.edu EDUCATION PhD. PG Diploma B.S. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT PhD in Nutrition Science University of Mumbai, India Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics University of Mumbai, India Bachelors of Science in Foods and Nutrition Assistant Professor Aug. 2009 Present University of North Carolina- Greensboro, NC. Research Associate II May 2005 April 2009 University of Southern Maine, ME Research Assistant, August 2000 May 2005 University of Connecticut-Storrs, CT. ACADEMIC POSITIONS HONORS/AWARDS Research Travel Award, Office of Research and Economic Development, UNCG (2011) Mini Grant Award, UNC-G Teaching and Learning Center, UNCG (2010) Scholarship Travel Award, New Faculty Mentoring Program, UNCG (2009) Outstanding Community Research Award, Connecticut Agricultural and Nutrition Research Consortium (2004) Research Poster Award, Institute for Food Technologists (2003) Hamilton D. Eaton Graduate Fellow in Nutrition Award, University of Connecticut (2002) Graduate Student Fellowship, University of Connecticut (2001) COURSES TAUGHT NTR 213-Introductory Nutrition NTR 609 A/B- Graduate Seminar Mentored graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in the following courses: NTR 427-Undergraduate Research NTR 601-Directed Study in Nutrition NTR 670- Research Skill Development NTR 699- Thesis
JIGNA M. DHAROD jmdharod@uncg.edu Page 2 of 5 RESEARCH INTERESTS Determine the relationship between food insecurity and social capital and its influence on health outcomes, such as body weight among different immigrants and refugee groups in the U.S. Understand different coping mechanisms low-income families use to reduce the severity and incidence of food insecurity. Use microbiological and other indicators, such as attitude towards food safety, to understand food safety risks in preparation and storage of weaning foods among immigrants and refugee populations settled in the U.S. DISSERTAION/THESIS SUPERVISED Doctoral Understanding effectiveness of food assistance programs in improving food security among low-income population groups, 2010-present (Lanae Ball) Improving household food security through local, community-based agricultural initiatives, 2012-present (Danielle Nunnery) Committee Member Effectiveness of cooking class intervention among young pregnant women, 2009 12 (Ioana Scripa) Master s Liberian families in the U.S.: how food insecure they are? 2010-12 (Danielle Nunnery) Committee Member Obesity, Dietary Behaviors & Level of Physical Activity Among Low-Income Children in Guilford County, 2009-11 (Anna Matteson) @ UNC-G FUNDED GRANTS (Role: PI) Coping mechanisms used by Asian refugee families in the U.S.: Are they linked to their pre-migration experiences ($ 5,000, 05/01/12). Funded by the School of Health and Human Sciences Research Office-University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (Role: PI) Food access, food insecurity and dietary habits among refugees in Guilford County ($5,000, 04/01/10 08/31/11). Funded by the Office of Research and Economic Development-University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (Role: PI) Dietary acculturation and food habits among refugee families: A Qualitative Study ($5000, 05/01/11-7/31/11). Funded by the Office of Research and Economic Development-University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (Role: PI) How feasible is it to use the USDA Food Security Survey Module among refugees? ($1,000, 11/2010-11/2011). Funded by the New Faculty Mentoring Program-University of North Carolina at Greensboro. @ previous academic positions
JIGNA M. DHAROD jmdharod@uncg.edu Page 3 of 5 (Role: Co-PI) Relationship between environmental indicators and fruits and vegetable intake behaviors among low-income rural population in Maine ($35,000, 06/2008-2009). Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (Role: Research co-ordinator) Understanding Critical Control Points (CCP) in meal preparation using HAACP model at the household level ($150,000, 09/2002 2004). Funded by USDA CSREES (renamed as NIFA). JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS 1. Dharod J, Nunnery D. Community Health Worker Model- A robust approach in reaching immigrant and refugee populations for research and outreach. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (under review). 2. Nunnery D, Haldeman L, Morrison S, Dharod J. Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire: Post-Resettlement Food Insecurity Among Liberian Households. Public Health Nutrition (under review). 3. Dharod J, Croom J, Sady C. Food Insecurity and its relationship to dietary intake and body weight among Somali refugee women in the U.S. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (in press). 4. Kiptiness C, Dharod J. (2011) Bhutanese Refugees in the US: their dietary habits and food shopping practices upon resettlement. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. 6:1-11. 5. Dharod J, Croom J, Sady C, Morrell D. (2011). Relationship between Dietary Intake, Food Security and Acculturation among Somali Refugees in the U.S.: Results of a Pilot Study. Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies. 9 (1): 82-97. 6. Dharod J, Croom J. (2010). Child Hunger: its Prevalence and Association with BMI and Dietary Intake among Somali Refugee Children in the U.S. NAPA Bulletin. 34: 126-140. 7. Dharod J, Drewette-Card R, Crawford D. (2010). Development of the Oxford Hills Healthy Moms Project (OHHM): A Community Based Social Marketing Physical Activity and Nutrition Intervention for Low Socioeconomic Status Mothers in a Rural Area in Maine. Health Promotion and Practice. Mar:12(2):312-21. 8. David H, Aboueissa AM, Vazquez Jacobus M, Dharod J, Walter K. (2010). Mapping food stores and people at risk of food insecurity in Lewiston, Maine. Journal of Extension. Vol 48, (6): 6RIB3. 9. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Venkitanarayanan K, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. (2009). Hands Bacterial Contamination Increases Risk of Cross-Contamination among Low Income Puerto Rican Meal Preparers. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 41 (6) 389-397. 10. Sheehy A, Dharod J. (2008). Relationship between Nutrition and Physical Activity Attitudes and Behaviors among High School Students in Maine. Journal of Extension, 46 (6). 11. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Bermudez-Millan A, Venkitanarayanan K, Damio G. (2007). Comparison Between Self-reported and Observed Food Handling Behaviors Among Latinas. Journal of Food Protection, 70 (8) 1927-1932.
JIGNA M. DHAROD jmdharod@uncg.edu Page 4 of 5 12. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Venkitanarayanan K, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. (2007). Critical Control Points for Home Prepared Chicken and Salad in Puerto Rican Households. Food Protection Trends. 27 (7) 544-552. 13. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Bermudez-Millan A, Segura-Perez S, Damio G. (2004). Influence of the Fight BAC! Food Safety Campaign on an Urban Latino Population. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 36 (3), 128-134. Poster presentations SCIENTIFIC MEETING PRESENTATIONS (ABSTRACTED) 1. Ball L, Dharod J. Welcome to America: Understanding the U.S. based refugee resettlement process using multiple-methods approach. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conference, Washington, DC (2012, July). 2. Marsh M, Dharod J. Review of food insecurity and nutrition related issues in African refugees recently resettled in developed countries. 78 th NC Dietetic Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC (2011, April). 3. Dharod J, Croom J, Sady C, Morrell D. Lessons learned while assessing food insecurity, acculturation, and dietary intake among Somali refugees in Lewiston, Maine. Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, CA (2008, April). 4. L'Italien M, Dharod J. Promoting vegetable consumption: Lessons learned from WIC moms and counselors, Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conference, Chicago, IL (2007, August). 5. Dharod J, Kaley L, L'Italien M, Wigand D, Leiter JL. Influence of social marketing campaign on healthy behaviors targeting low-income population in Maine, The American Public Health Association Meeting, Boston, MA (2006, November). 6. L'Italien M, Dharod J, Sady C, Gallagher KS, Lombardi G. Vegetable purchasing, preparation and consumption behaviors among WIC participants in Maine. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conference (2006, August). 7. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Venkitanarayanan K, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. Application of a HACCP-like model to determine food safety risk factors at the household level in a Puerto Rican community, Experimental Biology Meeting, Washington, D.C. (2004, April). 8. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Venkitanarayanan K, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. Influence of the USDA Fight BAC! campaign on food safety knowledge among urban Latinos in Connecticut, Experimental Biology Meeting, San Diego, CA (2003, April). 9. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. USDA Fight BAC! campaign delivered in inner city of Hartford targeting low income Latinos, USDA/USDHHS - Food Safety Education Conference, Orlando, FL (2002, September).
JIGNA M. DHAROD jmdharod@uncg.edu Page 5 of 5 Oral Presentations 1. Nunnery D, Dharod J. Liberians Living in the U.S.: An Examination of Food Insecurity and Associated Factors. Society for Nutrition Education Annual Conference, Washington, DC (2012, July). 2. Nunnery D, Dharod J. Process and outcome results in understanding food insecurity and food shopping practices of Liberian women and their families in the U.S. The American Public Health Association Meeting, Washington, DC (2011, October). 3. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Venkitanarayanan K, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. Identification of critical control points and risk factors during preparation of Chicken and Salad' meal by low-income latina meal preparers, The American Public Health Association Meeting, San Diego, CA (2008, October). 4. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Paciello S, Venkitanarayanan K, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. Coverage, consumer satisfaction, and effectiveness of the Fight BAC! campaign among urban Latinos in Connecticut, Experimental Biology Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2002, April). 5. Dharod J, Perez-Escamilla R, Bermudez-Millan A Damio G. Food safety risk factors among urban Latinos in Connecticut, Experimental Biology Meeting, Orlando, FL (2001, April). Professional Society Membership: Society for Nutrition Education American Public Health Association American Society for Nutrition SERVICE Activities: Member of the Board of Editors of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (2008 Present) Active member of the Caucus of Immigrant and Refugee Health-APHA (2009 present) Committees: Departmental level Applied Research Committee (2009 present) NTR 213 Committee (2009 present) ASN Notes (2009 present) Executive Committee (2010 present) Graduate Committee (2011 - present) University level CNNC Research Fellow Group Undergraduate Research Committee Community level Volunteer member at the Montagnard Dega Association & World Relief Resettlement Agency (High Point).