Melani Duffrin

Melani Duffrin, Ph.D., RDN, serves as Professor and Program Director/Coordinator in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions within Northern Illinois University's College of Health and Human Sciences. Her interdisciplinary work bridges nutrition science, education, and digital media to transform K-12 STEM learning through practical, food-centered curricula.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Education, Ohio University
• RD Internship, Winthrop University
• M.S. in Education, Western Illinois University
• B.S. in Home Economics, Western Illinois University

Dr. Duffrin's research centers on the FoodMASTER Initiative, which leverages food science as an engaging vehicle for teaching mathematics and scientific principles to schoolchildren. She investigates how interactive digital media—spanning animations, video games, and multimedia resources—can effectively enhance student knowledge acquisition and attitudes toward STEM subjects. Her work extends to curriculum development for patient education and health numeracy improvement, creating accessible learning pathways for diverse audiences.

As leader of the FoodMASTER Initiative, she directs a comprehensive program that develops classroom-ready resources emphasizing experiential learning. Her approach transforms abstract scientific concepts into tangible experiences through food-based experiments, fostering sustained student interest in STEM disciplines while addressing critical educational gaps in nutrition science and quantitative health literacy.