Jillian Ruhl

Jillian Ruhl, MScAHN, PDt, is a Lab Instructor and Faculty Supervising Dietitian at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), with a dual role in academic instruction and internship coordination. She oversees dietetic interns’ clinical training and supervises practicum students in food and nutrition programs, bridging educational and professional experiences. Her teaching focuses on innovative laboratory courses like Ecological Perspectives of Food and Issues in Food Product Development, integrating technology, current research, and community initiatives. She emphasizes personalized learning, group collaboration, and critical discussions to foster professional growth.

Ruhl’s research interests revolve around hyper-local food systems, foraging, beekeeping, and re-skilling in food provisioning. She explores transdisciplinary approaches to dietetics education and authored/co-authored peer-reviewed studies on topics such as childhood influences on lifestyle behaviors, garden-based learning, and critical nutrition pedagogy. Her master’s dissertation examined wild edible plants and food tourism in Nova Scotia.

As MSVU’s campus beekeeper, she spearheaded the installation of a honeybee hive, promoting environmental sustainability and community engagement. She actively seeks partnerships with local organizations to enhance students’ hands-on experiences through field trips, guest speakers, and sensory evaluations of food products.