Roni A. Neff

Roni A. Neff is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She co-directs the RECIPES national research network on food waste and leads food system resilience initiatives. Her work focuses on advancing equitable, resilient food systems through policy, education, and worker-centric solutions. She has authored the influential textbook Introduction to the US Food System: Public Health, Environment, Equity, now in its second edition. Neff also serves on the Board of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society and previously led food systems efforts within the American Public Health Association.

Education:

• PhD in Environmental Health, Johns Hopkins University (2006)
• ScM in Public Health, Harvard University (1997)
• AB in Biology, Brown University (1989)

Research Interests: Food waste reduction, food system resilience, occupational health for food workers, and policy interventions to improve food security. Her current projects include worker-led food donation strategies, TikTok-based food waste prevention campaigns, and resilience planning for cities like Baltimore.

Recent Article Trends: Focus on aquatic food system sustainability, pandemic-era food policy impacts, and community-engaged solutions to food waste. Key themes include environmental impact analysis, policy evaluation, and interdisciplinary approaches to systemic challenges.

Awards:

• Excellence in Teaching (2010-2024)
• Delta Omega Curriculum Award (2017)
• Service Learning Recognition (2012-2014)

Advising & Grants: Mentors PhD/Master’s students in environmental sustainability tracks. Leads NSF-funded projects (e.g., $15M RECIPES network) and collaborates with organizations like the American Heart Association on urban health initiatives. Her work has informed municipal resilience plans and federal food policy guidelines.

Labs/Teams: Center for a Livable Future (CLF), Multiscale RECIPES network, and the CHEF-WPM culinary intervention project. Active in national food policy coalitions and global resilience frameworks.