معرفی
Makenzie Barr-Porter serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She joined the institution in 2019 after previously working at West Virginia University, where she earned her Ph.D.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Animal and Food Science from West Virginia University
- RDN credential from University of Arizona
- B.S. in Human Nutrition & Foods from West Virginia University
Dr. Barr-Porter's research centers on two critical public health domains: (1) bariatric surgery outcomes in the Appalachian region with emphasis on post-surgical support interventions, and (2) community-based participatory research targeting young adults to enhance healthy living practices and chronic disease prevention knowledge. Her work directly addresses health disparities in underserved populations through practical, community-engaged methodologies. She has published peer-reviewed manuscripts examining co-morbid conditions' effects on weight loss outcomes and student-designed peer interventions.
As a registered dietitian (RDN) with prior experience as a consulting bariatric dietitian in West Virginia, she maintains active membership in key professional organizations:
- The Obesity Society
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior
She teaches courses including DHN 318: Hunger, Food Behavior, and the Environment; DHN 514: Counseling and Communication Lab; and DHN 320: Experiential Learning in Hunger Studies, integrating her research expertise into student education.
