center for obesity research and education (CORE)

Staff

Eileen Ford, MS, RD is the Project Coordinator for STOPP-T2D: Studies to Treat or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes. She received both her BS and MS in Nutrition from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. As a nutritionist, Ms. Ford's areas of work are community nutrition, nutrition counseling, weight management, maternal child health and nutrition for the school-aged child. She has developed and directed numerous community nutrition programs and now coordinates the activities of the NIH/NIDDK school-based diabetes prevention study (STOPP-T2D).

Eileen Ford can be contacted at 215-707-8634, eileen.ford@temple.edu.

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Juli Jordan is a Project Associate for the HEALTHY study at the Center for Obesity Research and Education.  Ms. Jordan received her BS from the University of Maryland in Family Psychology along with a minor in Kinesiology.  She is currently working towards her Master's Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Physiology at Temple University.

Juli Jordan can be contacted at 215-707-8672, juliann.jordan@temple.edu.

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Kerri Leh is a Project Associate at the Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE).  Ms. Leh received her BS from the University of Pittsburgh in Movement Sciences with a specialization in Exercise Science and concentration in Psychology.  She is the study coordinator for the Weight and Metabolic Effects of an Almond-Enriched, Hypocaloric Diet.

Kerri Leh can be contacted at 215-707-8656, kerrileh@temple.edu.

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Tracy Oliver, MEd, RD, LDN is a Health Specialist for the Center for Obesity Research and Education. Ms. Oliver received her BS degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from The University of Pittsburgh, and a Master's degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from Temple University. She is currently working towards her PhD at Temple University in Kinesiology, again with a concentration in Exercise Physiology where her interest is in the metabolic effects of exercise. Ms. Oliver is currently working on various research studies and weight loss interventions. Her expertise is in weight loss counseling and promoting physical activity in adults.

Tracy Oliver can be contacted at 215-707-8643, tcasella@temple.edu.

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Jennifer Rosen is a Project Associate for STOPP-T2D:  Studies to Treat or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes.  She works with teachers and students in the Philadelphia public schools to promote health education and communication for this school-based study.  Jennifer received her BS in Biology with a minor in Near Eastern Civilizations from the University of Michigan.

Jennifer Rosen can be contacted at rosenje@temple.edu.

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Leigh Rosen, MUEP, is the School Coordinator for STOPP-T2D: Studies to Treat or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes. Ms. Rosen received her BA in Urban Studies and Economics from Vassar College, and a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning with a concentration in Public Health from the University of Virginia. Ms. Rosen is currently working on school-based nutrition and exercise research for diabetes and childhood obesity prevention. Her areas of expertise include community health research, neighborhood-based diabetes intervention, health system planning, health mapping and spatial analysis.

Leigh Rosen can be contacted at 215-707-8663, lkrosen@temple.edu.

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Diane Rosenbaum is a Project Associate at the Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE).  Ms. Rosenbaum received her BA in Psychology from Boston University.  She is currently the study coordinator for the Safety and Efficacy of Low and High Carbohydrate Diets:  Cognitive Performance; and Food Reactivity During High and Low Carbohydrate Obesity Treatment.

Diane Rosenbaum can be contacted at 215-707-8658, dianer@temple.edu.

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Dominique Ruggieri, MA is a health communications specialist who has assisted on a variety of research projects at the Center for Obesity Research and Education.  Ms. Ruggieri received her BA in Communication Studies from West Chester University and her MA in Media Studies from Temple University.  She will be completing her PhD in Mass Media and Communication at Temple University in December 2007.  Her doctoral dissertation focuses on the portrayals of overweight people and obesity on television.  Ms. Ruggieri has worked for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Temple University Public Health Department as a research consultant specializing in the development of culturally sensitive public health risk communication campaigns for low literacy and disadvantaged populations.  She also co-directed the "Conference on Obesity for the Health Professional" at Temple University, a 5-week academic program and conference about current obesity interventions and research.  Additional areas of expertise and interest include media entrepreneurship and media readiness training, health communication related to HIV/AIDS and breast cancer, and intercultural, political and risk communications.

Dominique Ruggieri can be reached via email at dgr@temple.edu.

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Jacquie Smyth is interventional research assistant for STOPP-T2D:  Studies to Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes.  She works directly with students and teachers in the Philadelphia public schools to promote health education.  Jacquie received her BA in Education through Exercise at Cabrini College.

Jacquie Smyth can be reached via email at js726@temple.edu.

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Sara Solomon, MPH, RD, is the Health Promotions Coordinator for STOPP-T2D: Studies to Treat or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes. Ms. Solomon received her BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin.  She received her Master of Public Health and completed her Dietetics Internship at the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health.  Her areas of expertise and interest include pediatric obesity, school-based obesity and diabetes interventions, health communications and nutrition education. 

Sara Solomon, can be reached at 215-707-8664, sarasol@temple.edu.

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Stephanie L. Vander Veur, MPH, CCRC, is a Program Manager at the Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE). Ms. Vander Veur received her BS in Sociology and a Master in Public Health from West Chester University. Ms. Vander Veur is also certified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals as a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC). Ms. Vander Veur is currently working on a variety of adult weight loss interventions with CORE with special attention to evaluating the efficacy of different weight loss approaches including their psychological and metabolic effects. She is also interested in the area of community health education including the prevention of childhood obesity and type2 diabetes.

Stephanie Vander Veur can be contacted at 215-707-8635, stephanie.vanderveur@temple.edu.

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Amy Virus, RD, LDN is a Senior Health Services Coordinator for STOPP-T2D: Studies to Treat or Prevent Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes.  Amy received her Public Health/Nutrition degree from West Chester University and completed her Dietetic Internship at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.   Areas of expertise include school-based diabetes intervention, school food service management, and weight loss counseling.  Amy is also active in the Pennsylvania Dietetic Association and will be President in 2007-2009.

Amy Virus can be reached at 215-707-8669, amyvir@temple.edu.

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Contact Information:

Center for Obesity Research and Education

Temple University School of Medicine

3223 N. Broad Street

Suite 175

Philadelphia, PA  19140

T: 215-707-8633

F: 215-707-6475

Interested in Participating in a Research Study?

Call 215-707-8640