Cindy Leung

Cindy Leung, ScD, MPH, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She is a nutrition epidemiologist focusing on diet and health disparities in structurally marginalized populations, including studies on food insecurity, obesity, and federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC. Her work integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to explore social determinants of health.

• Education: ScD in Nutrition and Epidemiology (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012), MPH in Public Health Nutrition (UC Berkeley, 2007), BA in Molecular and Cell Biology and English (UC Berkeley, 2004)

Her research examines stress as a mechanism linking food insecurity to obesity in children, evaluates federal food programs' impact on chronic disease risk, and identifies strategies to improve SNAP. She also investigates diet's role in cellular aging, such as the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and telomere length. Her publications span topics including dietary trends, metabolic risk factors, and neighborhood food environments.

Recent studies highlight public support for SNAP reforms and diet-sensitive cardiometabolic risks in adolescents. She collaborates with institutions like UC Berkeley (adjunct appointment) and contributes to research on health equity and policy evaluation.

Contact: cinleung@umich.edu | Office: 734-647-9087 | Address: 3866 SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI