Alissa Smethers

Dr. Alissa Smethers is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the College of Public Health, Temple University. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in nutrition and serves as the field placement coordinator for the MPH in Nutrition program.

Education:

• PhD in Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University
• MS in Nutrition, Marywood University
• BS in Biology, Juniata College

Her research centers on childhood nutrition and obesity prevention, with emphasis on portion size, energy density, and early-life sweet taste development. She investigates dietary behaviors in infants and young children, particularly in relation to formula feeding, weight gain trajectories, and maternal-child dietary patterns.

Her recent publications focus on infant nutrition, dietary interventions for vegetable intake, maternal-child sweet taste phenotypes, and early predictors of obesity. These works span disciplines including pediatric nutrition, public health, and sensory science, often employing longitudinal and clinical trial designs.

Scientific Awards:

• 2018 Ethan Sims Young Investigator Award, The Obesity Society
• F32 Fellowship, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Dr. Smethers is actively engaged in professional service as a board member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Philly Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has secured competitive federal funding for her postdoctoral research and continues to contribute to evidence-based nutrition education and policy. Her teaching includes courses such as Nutrition and Health, Diet and Weight Management, and Cultural and Community Nutrition at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

She is involved in community nutrition initiatives and field education coordination, bridging academic training with real-world public health practice. Her work emphasizes translating scientific findings into practical dietary guidance for families and healthcare providers.