Jennifer Garner

Dr. Jennifer Garner is the John G. Searle Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan. Her work focuses on community-engaged nutrition interventions addressing food security, diabetes management, and health equity through interdisciplinary partnerships across academic, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. She leads The Garner Research Group, which integrates quantitative and qualitative methods to inform clinical and community practices.

Her research interests center on improving diet quality, addressing social determinants of health, and leveraging non-traditional community resources like rural libraries. She has conducted studies on farmers' market programs, produce prescription feasibility, and the impact of food insecurity on glycemic control. Recent work emphasizes cost-effectiveness of interventions and sustainability of social needs resolution programs.

Dr. Garner has published extensively on topics including food sourcing patterns, the role of local food systems, and barriers to healthcare access. She advocates for policy changes to strengthen the Child and Adult Care Food Program for rural communities. Her team collaborates with stakeholders to design scalable solutions for food and nutrition security challenges.