Melissa Fuster

Melissa Fuster is an Associate Professor of public health nutrition at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, holding the Emily and Solon R. Cole Professorship (2022-2027). Her research examines cultural and structural determinants of food practices and policies addressing diet-related health inequities, with projects spanning Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.

Her current work includes the NIH-funded Latin American Restaurants in Action (LARiA) Project, which applies human-centered design to promote healthier eating in food service businesses. Additional research focuses on food security, diversification in dietetics, and developing culturally competent healthcare approaches.

Dr. Fuster earned her PhD in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University and completed postdoctoral training in Food Studies at New York University. Prior to joining Tulane, she served on the faculty at City University of New York.