Alison Tovar

Alison Tovar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the Brown University School of Public Health and Interim Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity. She holds a PhD from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Previously, she was faculty at the University of Rhode Island (2012–2021) before joining Brown in 2022.

Her research focuses on behavioral interventions to prevent diet-related chronic diseases, particularly in early childhood and immigrant populations. Key interests include feeding behaviors, health equity, and nutrition policies. She leads projects such as the Healthy Start/Comienzos Sanos trial and the Strong Families Start at Home initiative, emphasizing community engagement and policy implementation.

Dr. Tovar has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work addressing dietary patterns among immigrant families, produce prescription programs, and the impact of stress on feeding practices. Her grants include NIH-funded studies on obesity prevention and WIC program innovations. Awards include the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement (2024) and the Rhode Island Carrot Award (2018).

Her teaching includes courses on community-engaged research and public health nutrition. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Michigan and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Current projects prioritize digital health tools, food security, and culturally responsive interventions to reduce health disparities.