Education and Background

• 1978 Ph.D. Food Science and Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• 1975 M.S. Food Science and Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• 1967 B.S. Nutrition, Simmons College, Boston

Academic Appointments and Experience

• 2004 - Present - Co-Director, Center for Public Health and Health Policy, University of Connecticut
• 2003 - Present - Faculty affiliate, Center for Health and HIV Prevention, University of Connecticut.
• 2003 - Present- Professor, School of Medicine, Division of Public Health and Population Sciences
• 1999 - Present - Professor, School of Allied Health Professions.
• 1991- 2007 - Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• 1990 - 1996 Head, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• 1984 -1997 Faculty Associate, Traveler’s Center on Aging
• 1984 - 1991 Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• 1978 - 1984 Assistant Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• 1978 Instructor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• 1973 - 1978 Research and teaching assistant, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.
• 1967 - 1973 Clinical, administrative, and private consulting dietitian at various ranks.

Honors or Distinctions

• AAUP, University of Connecticut, University Service Award 2002,
• Gamma Sigma Delta, Senior Faculty Award, 2000, USDA, ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Training Program, 1994-95,
• Visiting Faculty, Charles University School of Medicine, Prague, Czeck Republic and Slovak Academy of Sciences, Brastislava, Slovak, Republic, Fall, 1992,
• Regional Technical Research Committee, NE-172. Chair (1985 1988),
• AAUP Special Meritorius Performance Award, Journal of Nutrition Education. Special guest editor for issue on aging. 1989 1990,
• Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Crown Zelleback Foundation Scholar, 1967

Professional and Honorary Organizations

• Member: American Dietetic Association. Registered (R407438).
• First Chair of the Glenda Bible Scholarship Committee for Dietitians in Pediatric Practice, Public Health Practice Group (Network Committee),
• Nutrition Research Practice Group, Association of Nutrition Programs and Departments, Founding Executive Board and Treasurer, 1993-1996,
• American Society of Nutritional Sciences (Finance Committee Member, Steering Committee, Community and Public Health Research Interest Section, Chair 2002-2003, Executive Committee, 2003-2004),
• American Society for Clinical Nutrition (Publications Committee (2002-Pres.),
• American Anthropological Association (Nutritional Anthropology), Society for Nutrition Education, American Public Health Association,
• Connecticut Dietetic Association,
• Past memberships: Association for Chemoreception Sciences, International Society for Research on Human Milk and Lactation, Connecticut Nutrition Council.

Research

Ann Ferris has worked at the University of Connecticut since 1978. She is a full professor in nutritional sciences, the co-director of the Center for Public Health and Health Policy, and a joint professor in Community Medicine and Health Care at the UConn Health Center.

Ann's current research interests include community and public health nutrition, specifically the nature of iron-deficiency anemia and childhood overweight of children living in poverty and community-based participatory research. She is also working on two applications of the IMB model for changing beverage intake and increasing the intake of foods with bioavailable iron in preschool children.

Ann has received numerous awards, including the AAUP and CT State Legislature University Service Award in 2002 and the Gamma Sigma Delta Senior Faculty Award in 2000. Ann also serves on the Publications Management Committee for the American Society for Nutrition and was the 2002-2003 Public Nutrition Research Interest Section Chair for the American Society for Nutritional Sciences.

Post Doctoral Fellows Supervised

• Katie Martin, Ph.D. Tufts University 2002. Project: Food security, social capital, and family obesity patterns.
• Michelle Pierce, Ph.D., R.D., University of Connecticut. Qualitative research into the determinants of iron-deficiency anemia.

Current Doctoral Students

• James Weinstein, Capt. USAF, MBA, MS, RD. (Department of Nutritional Sciences, J.Czajkowski Community Nutrition Scholar, 2003), B.S. Nutrition. 1997. Rutgers University, MBA. 2001. Webster University, MS. Nutritional Sciences. 2003. University of Connecticut. Dissertation Project: The household food system and iron-deficiency anemia.
• RoseAnna Holliday, MPH (Currently employed as Associate Education Consultant, CT Department of Education) Dissertation project: Development of an instrument based on the IMB model to measure understanding of anemia prevention and treatment.

Current Master's Students

• Stephanie Wei. Bioavailability of iron in diets of children with anemia.

Doctoral Dissertations Supervised and Completed

• L. Suzie Henderson, 2007; (USDA National Needs Fellow) B.S. Biology. 1999.Hardin-Simmons Univ., MS. Nutrition. 2002. Texas Tech University, Dietetic Internship. 2003. Cornell University; Dissertation project: Effectiveness of an IBM-Based Intervention for Reducing Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Preschool Children. (Currently employed as Post-Doctoral Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine with T. Nicholas).
• Rebecca Crowell, MS, 2005; (American Society for Nutritional Sciences, Gerber Foundation, pre-doctoral fellow, 2002). AB. Philosophy, 1987 Kenyon College MS. Nutritional Sciences. 1999. University of Connecticut, Nutritional Sciences. Dissertation: Anemia in low-income infants and preschoolers from Hartford, CT: the impact of a community-based intervention.. (Currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow, Donaghue TRIPP Center at UCHC with J. Fifield)
• Michelle B. Pierce 1998. Dissertation: Functional status, social support, and diet quality in elderly women. (Curriculum coordinator, Food Stamp Nutrition Education. Department of Nutritional Sciences. University of Connecticut)
• Laurie Lucchina 1995. 6-n-propylthioracil status: Genetic determinant of diet-related behaviors and nutritional status in older females. (Research Scientist. Shuster Laboratories, Canton, MA)
• Valerie Duffy 1992. Olfactory dysfunction, food behaviors, dietary intake, and anthropometric measures in single-living, elderly women. (University of Connecticut, School of Allied Health Professions, Associate Professor).
• Maureen Murtaugh 1991. Examination of factors leading to euglycemia in lactating insulin-dependent diabetic women in the first 12 weeks postpartum. (Health Research Center, Univ. of Utah).
• Suzanne Neubauer 1989. Breast milk composition of diabetic women. (Professor of Consumer Sciences. Framingham State College)
• Karin Ostrom 1989. A study of the hormone prolactin during lactation of insulin-dependent diabetic women: concentration in milk and serum, bioactivity and the stimulated response to breastfeeding. (Senior Scientist. Ross Laboratories. Retired. 2003).

Master's Theses Supervised and Completed

• Waverly Thorsen, 2007. The relationship between neighborhood poverty and anemia occurrence in low-income children in Hartford, CT. (Research Associates, sub-contractor. The Gates Foundation. Seattle, WA)
• Rachel Glennon Drake, 2007. Parental Perceptions of Beverages: Understanding Factors Influencing Beverage Choices for Children. (Clinical dietitian, Yale University Hospital)
• Vanessa Sawyer, 2007. Black, overweight, preadolescent girls from inner-city, low-resource families desire a smaller body size to improve peer interactions and physical abilities. (Research Assoc. Dept. of Nutritional Sciences, UCONN, Storrs)
• Meredith Poehlitz, RD., 2005, BA. Psychology. 1975. Univ. of Oregon. B.S. Clinical Dietetics. 1983. Univ. of Washington. Thesis project: Service-learning enhances delivery of community-based nutrition services. (Former program manager UCONN Café service learning program)
• Valerie Phillips Soto, 2005, BS. Biology and Chemistry. 2001. St. Michael’s College, VT, Thesis project: Dietary intakes, iron consumption, and estimated iron bioavailablity in low-income, 2-5 yr. old children residing in Hartford, CT. (Senior Nutritionist, USDA/FNS Special Nutrition Programs, Alexandria, VA)
• Kara Tamburri, 2003, B.S. Mathematics. 1992. Clarkson Univ. Thesis project: Maternal anemia prenatal health, and birth outcome in a low income population. (Mathematics teacher, Woodstock Academy, CT)
• Capt. James Weinstein, MBA, RD. USAF. 2003. Measuring household food inventory with a UPC scanner.
• Jessica Peranick 2000. Food stamps, nutrient intake, and anemia in low-income preschoolers from Hartford, Connecticut.
• Rebecca Crowell 1999. Health care providers perceptions on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of iron-deficiency anemia.
• Sandra Wasco 1999. Food nutrition care of dementia patients living at home: Qualitative research on caregiver issues.
• Marcia Campbell 1996. Training needs of family day care providers in Connecticut
• Linda Daube 1995. Measuring dietary variety in independently living, older women.
• Rebecca Rappaport 1995. Relationship between olfactory function and body composition in 60 successfully aging women. (deceased)
• Shaila Rodrigues 1995. Growth differences in children of mothers with insulin-dependent diabetes, seven-year follow-up.
• Candace Stewart 1991. Differences in dietary intake and potential effects on lactation of vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians and omnivores in Connecticut.
• Joanne Fanelli Panus 1990. The effect of insulin-dependent diabetes on breast milk protein and nonprotein nitrogen.
• Christina Chase 1989. Breast milk intake and growth of infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.
• Colleen Russell Thompson. 1986. Insulin-dependent diabetes and infant milk intake.
• Claire Dalidowitz 1986. Lactation and the diabetic mother.
• Mary Ann Dotts 1984. Lactose and calorie content of human milk.
• Lilliam Restifo 1984. Lactation patterns of healthy women.
• Nancy Fey-Yensan, Ph.D. R.D.1984. Development of a measure of food behavior for an anosmic population. (University of Rhode Island, Dept. Foods and Nutrition, Assoc. Professor.)
• Helene Jensen 1983. Development and evaluation of a nutrition education kit for merchandising nutrition in the school lunch program. (retired)
• Kathleen Kendall 1983. Development and evaluation of a training module for food production record-keeping in school food service operations.
• Theresa McCabe 1982. The assessment of factors that affect the duration of lactation of women residing in Eastern Connecticut: A predictive model.

University Scholars and Honors Graduates

• Strand, Sally. (2002) Role of young African-American teens in family food purchases.
• Hardy, Stephanie. (2001) Food acceptance in pre-school children. Selected for Council for Undergraduate Research, Washington, DC. (Physician’s Assistant)
• Talaga, Lisa. (1991) Olfactory perception in older adults.

Refereed Journal Articles (last seven years)

• Poehlitz P.M., Pierce M.B., and Ferris, A.M.. (2007) Delivering nutrition education in a service-learning course. J Nutr Edu Behav 38:388-9.
• Martin, K. and A.M. Ferris. (2007) Food insecurity and gender are risk factors for obesity. Journal Nutrition Education and Behavior. Jan-Feb;39 (1):31-6.
• Crowell R, Ferris A.M., Wood R.J., Joyce P., and Slivka H. (2006) Comparative effectiveness of zinc protoporphyrin and hemoglobin concentration in identifying iron-deficiency in a group of low-income preschoolers: The practical implications of recent illness. Pediatrics. 118:224-232.
• Pierce, M.B,R.E. Crowell, and A.M. Ferris (2006) Differing perspectives of inner city parents and pediatric clinicians impact management of iron-deficiency anemia. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.38:169-176.
• Weinstein, J., E. MacLeod, V. Phillips, M. Arsenault, and A.M. Ferris. (2006) A universal product code scanner is a feasible method of measuring household food inventory and food usage patterns in low income families. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 106:443-5.
• Crowell, R.E., M.B. Pierce, A.M. Ferris, H. Slivka, P. Joyce, B. Bernstein, and S. Russell-Curtis. (2005) Managing anemia in low-income toddlers: barriers, challenges and context in primary care. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. 16 (4) 791-807.
• Ferris, A.M and G. Marquis. (2005). Bioethics in scientific research: conflicts between subject’s equitable access to participate in research and current regulations. J. Nutr. 135(4): 916-7.
• Pierce, M.B., N.W. Sheehan, and A.M. Ferris. (2002). Nutrition concerns of low-income elderly women and related social support. J. Nutr. Elderly, 21 (3):37-53.
• Chapman, D., S. Young, A.M. Ferris, and R. Perez-Escamilla. (2001). The impact of breast pumping on the onset of lactogenesis stage II following Cesarean delivery: A randomized clinical trial. Pediatrics 107:e94.
• Pierce, M.B., N.W. Sheehan, and A.M. Ferris. (2001). Older women living in subsidized housing report low levels of nutrition support. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 101:251-4.
• Himmelgreen, D.A., R. Pérez-Escamilla, S. Segura-Millán, Y. Peng, A. Gonzalez, M. Singer, and A.M. Ferris. (2000). Food insecurity among low-income Hispanics in Hartford, Connecticut: Implications for Public Health Policy. Human Organization. 59(3): 334-342.
• Tanasescu. M,. A.M. Ferris, D.A. Himmelgreen, N. Rodriguez, and R. Pérez-Escamilla. (2000). Biobehavioral factors associated with obesity in Puerto Rican children. J. Nutr. 130:1734-42.
• Pérez-Escamilla R., A.M. Ferris, L .Drake, L. Haldeman, J. Peranick, M. Campbell, Y. Peng, G. Burke, and B. Bernstein. (2000). Food stamps are associated with improved food security and dietary intake of inner-city preschoolers from Hartford, CT. J. Nutr. 130:2711-7.
• Haldeman, L., R. Pérez-Escamilla, A.M. Ferris, L. Drake, D. Himmelgreen, H. Bonello, A. González, S. Segura-Millán, I. Méndez, A. Bermudez, and N. Romero-Daza. (2000). Development of a color-coded food label for low-literacy Latino caretakers. J. Nutr. Educ. 32(3):152-160.

Abstracts of Presented Papers

• Goodell, L.S., K.R. Amico, M.B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris. (2008) An information-motivation-behavioral skills model for child sweetened beverage consumption. FASEB J (Abstract 678)
• Goodell L.S., D.B. Wakefield,, and A.M. Ferris (2007) The WHO’s child growth standards increase prevalence of overweight among young children compared to CDC’s growth chart. FASEB J. 21:828.8.
• Drake R.E., M.B. Pierce, L.S. Goodell, and A.M. Ferris (2007) Selection of beverages for young children: The decision process of low resource urban parents. FASEB J.21:671.16.
• Sawyer, V., M. B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris (2007) Body image perceptions, motivations, and models to achieve desired body size among overweight black preadolescent girls. FASEB J.21:359.7.
• Pierce M.B., V. Sawyer, and A.M. Ferris (2006) Black, overweight, preadolescent girls from inner-city, low resource families desire a smaller body-size to improve peer interactions and physical abilities. J Am Diet Assoc 106 (Suppl 2): A40.
• Beeman S.J., M.B. Pierce, S. Furbish, and A.M. Ferris (2006) Mass mailings to food stamp recipients: less bang for the buck. 39th Ann Soc Nutr Educ, San Francisco, CA.
• Goodell L.S., M.B. Pierce, C.M. Bravo, and A.M. Ferris (2006) Parental perceptions of preschool overweight: a qualitative examination. FASEB J. 20(4):A128. *Awarded: Outstanding Graduate Researcher, Nut Ed RIS, EB 200
• Pierce M.B. and A.M. Ferris (2005) Low knowledge of dietary iron sources among low-income caretakers of young children. FASEB J. 19(4): A1177.
• Crowell, R.E., A.M. Ferris, R.J. Wood, and D. Wakefield (2005) Household participation in food benefit programs differentially affects iron status indicators in low-income preschoolers. FASEB J 19 (5): (Abstr. 967.7).
• Crowell, R.E., R. J. Wood, D. Wakefield, and A.M. Ferris (2004) Iron deficiency is complicate by infection in low-income preschoolers. FASEB J. 18 (5) C109 (Abstr. 359.13)
• Pierce M.B., J. L. Weinstein, V. Phillips, M. Arsenault, and A.M. Ferris. (2004) High juice drink consumption of low-income, inner city preschool children in Hartford CT negatively impacts diet quality. FASEB J. 18 (5):A768 (Abstr. 501.3). *Awarded: First Place Oral Presentation, UConn College of Ag, Grad Research Forum 2004
• Crowell R.E., M.B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris (2003). Inner city families and service providers differ relative to understanding of and approach to early childhood anemia. Proc. Nutrition Connections. USDA/FNS, Washington, DC. p. 57.
• Crowell R.E., Pierce M.B., and A. M. Ferris. . (2003). Targeting hard-to-reach populations: application of a community-based approach. FASEB J. 17 (4): A375 (Abstr. 269.3).
• Pierce M.B., Crowell R.E., and A.M. Ferris. . (2003). Culturally-linked prevention practices and remedies for anemia are employed by low-income caretakers of young children in Hartford, CT. Proc. Nutrition Connections. USDA/FNS, Washington, DC. p. 84.
• Weinstein J.L., V. Phillips, M.B. Pierce, R.E. Crowell, and A.M. Ferris (2003). Low iron bioavailability, low heme iron, and poor nutrient density in diets of children of low-income families residing in Hartford, CT. FASEB J. 17 (4):A728 (Abstr. 445.3).
• Diaz, N., A.M. Ferris, and R. Crowell. 2003. Taking it to the streets: ethonography’s role in nutrition education. Proc. Nutrition Connections. USDA/FNS, Washington, DC. 2/26/03. p. 86.
• Poehlitz, M., V. Duffy, and A.M. Ferris. (2002). Undergraduate program (CUP) and community program collaborate for service-learning. J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. 102(Suppl): A-58’
• Ferris, A.M. , R. Crowell, and F. Rosales. (2002). Iron deficiency complicated by inflammation among poor preschoolers in Hartford, CT. FASEB J.16:abstr.
• Ferris, A.M. (2001). Husky Nutrition – Using a needs assessment to facilitate community and institutional change. Nutrition Education for Diverse Audiences II: Integrating Research and Practice. Dallas, Texas. 9/12/02.
• Beeman. S.J, and A.M Ferris. (2001) Collaborative development of the Foodlinks website for food stamp recipients. Nutrition Education for Diverse Audiences II: Integrating Research and Practice. Dallas, Texas:
• Poehlitz, M. and A.M. Ferris. (2001). Service learning in FSNEP programs. Nutrition Education for Diverse Audiences II: Integrating Research and Practice. Dallas, Texas. 9/12/02.
• Fey-Yensan, N. and A.M. Ferris. (2001). Management of a regional FNP program for the elderly: An innovative partnership for value added nutrition programming. Nutrition Education for Diverse Audiences II: Integrating Research and Practice. Dallas, Texas. 9/12/02
• Beeman S.J and A.M. Ferris, C.C. Cantor. (2001). Food stamp recipients and nutrition educators differ with respect to development of the Foodlinks website. Proc. Soc. Nutr. Educ. Annual Meeting
• Ferris, A.M. , J.L. Peranick, M.B. Pierce, R. Pérez-Escamilla, and G. Burke. (2001). Association of food stamps with diagnosis of anemia in inner-city preschoolers from Hartford, CT. FASEB J. 15:A1000(Abstr. 761.3).
• Hardy, S., P. Parmar, M.B. Pierce, and A. M. Ferris. (2001). The role of home based activities in influencing children’s vegetable preference. Council for Undergraduate Research. Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Undergraduate Research Posters on Capital Hill. Washington, DC.: 3/29/2001.
• Crowell, R.E., M.B. Pierce, and A.M. Ferris (presenter). (2000). Primary care provider views of anemia in a high-risk population. J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. 100 (Suppl): A-13.
• Beeman, S.J. A.M. Ferris, C.C. Cantor, S.L. Schadt. M.J. Belyea, and S. Giovenale. (2000). Collaborative development of the Foodlinks bilingual website for food stamp recipients. J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. 100 (Suppl): A-51.
• Peranick, J.L., M.B. Pierce, R. Perez-Escamilla, and A.M. Ferris (presenting) (2000). Impact of beverage consumption on the diet quality of young children in Hartford, CT. J. Amer. Diet. Assoc. 100 (Suppl): A-57.
• Diaz, N., R. Crowell, M. Pierce, and A. M. Ferris. (2000). An interdisciplinary approach to assessing anemia as a marker of public health in a low income, urban population. Proc. Amer. Anthro. Assoc. San Francisco.
• Ferris, A. M. J. Peranick, M. Pierce, R. Perez-Escamilla, R. J. de Leon, A. Bermudez-Millan, and R. Grajeda. (2000). Portion sizes consumed by inner-city Puerto-Rican preschoolers living in Hartford, CT. The FASEB J. 14:A534 (Abstr370.4).
• Perez-Escamilla, R. A.M. Ferris, L. Drake, L. Haldeman, J. Peranick, M. Campbell, D. Moran, Y.K.Peng, G. Burke, and B. Bernstein. (2000). Influence of food stamps on the nutritional status of inner-city preschoolers from Hartford, CT. The FASEB J. 14:A370 (Abstr 506.4).
• Pierce, M.B., R.E. Crowell, and N.M. Diaz. (2000). (Post-doctoral and doctoral student presentation (A.M. Ferris, faculty sponsor). Inherent complexities in the identification and management of anemia in a low-income urban population. Proceedings of the Association for Health Services Research. Los Angeles, CA. June 27.
• Moran, D., A.M. Ferris, M. Campbell, R. Crowell, R. Pérez-Escamilla, H. Slivka, G. Burke, C. Orkin, B. Bernstein, and P. Joyce. (1999). Anemia among 18 to 36 month year-old children in Hartford, CT. Proc. Exp. Biology. (Abstr.) A698.
• Pierce, M., N. Sheehan, and A. M. Ferris. (1999). The influence of self perceived nutrition problems and social integration on diet quality. Proc. Exp. Biology. (Abstr).
• Tanasescu, M., A. Ferris, D. Himmelgreen, N. Rodriguez, and R. Pérez-Escamilla. (1999). Predictors of obesity among inner-city Puerto-Rican children. Proc. Exp. Biology. (Abstr.)
• Chapman D., S. Young, A.M. Ferris, M. McLaren, C. Lammi-Keefe, and R. Pérez-Escamilla. (1999). Impact of breast pumping on lactogenesis-II following Cesarean section. Proc. Exp. Biology. (Abstr.)
• Crowell, R., M. Pierce, S. Russell, and A.M. Ferris. (1999). Protocols for anemia management among inner-city clinicians: a qualitative study. Proc. Soc. Nutr. Educ. (Abstr).
• Pérez-Escamilla, R, A. M. Ferris, D. A. Himmelgreen, A. Gonzalez, G. Damio, M. Singer, and R. Martinez. (1999). The Connecticut Family Nutrition Program for infants, toddlers, and children (FNP-IT): A local nutrition education program coalition that works. Proc. Soc. Nutr. Educ. (Abstr).